6 Louisville Events We’re Excited for This Spring

March 10th, 2020 by

Hands using a cell phone are in front of an out of focus truck at a Louisville truck show.

Please be aware that events and locations may be closed due to growing health concerns. Please consider take-out dining, purchasing a gift card for the time being, or visiting for future events.

We might not deal with the deep freeze and heavy snow that other cities and areas in the US face during the winter, but it can still be easy to let the colder weather keep us trapped inside. Whether you find our winters mild or frigid, we can all agree that when spring comes along and the weather starts to warm, we’re more than ready for it. In particular, we like seeing the different events and things going on in Louisville and the surrounding area in the spring and summer.

This year, there are lots of things happening – other than the Derby, of course – and we thought it would be fun to take a look at what’s coming up and make sure you all know about them. Too often, we find ourselves talking to customers, discussing and comparing our weekends, and we hear them say they wish they had known about what was going on. Well, this is your lucky day – here are six of the upcoming events this spring that we’re most excited about.

There are also plenty of concerts, shows, and similar things happening, but there are just too many of those types of events to fully discuss here.

Mid-America Trucking Show – March 26th-28th

First up, and coming very soon, is the Mid-American Trucking Show, or 2020 MATS. This is one of the biggest trucking industry conventions of the year, with more than 1,000 exhibitors on-hand last year and more than 1 million square-feet of exhibits, vendors, and events. More than 70,000 people were in attendance last year, and this year looks to be just as popular. If you are in the trucking industry or looking to make more contacts among commercial truck companies, this is absolutely the place to be.

The 2020 Mid-American Trucking Show will be held from Thursday, March 26th through Saturday, March 28th. You can register to attend 2020 MATS right now, with free registration available for a limited time – floor plans are available on their website so you can plan your time wisely during the event. 2020 MATS will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center near Louisville International Airport. Admission is from 1 pm to 6 pm on Thursday, from 10 am to 6 pm on Friday, and from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday.

ConGlomeration 2020 – April 10th-12th

If you’re more interested in pop culture and spending some time with your fellow Louisville geeks, then check out ConGlomeration in April. ConGlomeration is known as “Louisville’s geek family reunion” and is a great opportunity to spend some time with friends and family in a geek-friendly setting. Fans of sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, anime, gaming, and more will all find something to enjoy while making new friends at one of the biggest fan-run conventions in the country.

ConGlomeration 2020 is being held Easter weekend: Friday, April 10th through Sunday, April 12th at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Hotel. The event runs from noon on Friday through 2 pm on Sunday, and tickets are available now with registration prices starting at $35. There will be numerous dealers and artists at the convention, plus lots of events, including gaming demonstrations, a cosplay masquerade, and more.

BB&T Great BalloonFest – April 23rd-25th

Hot air balloons are flying in the sky at dusk in Louisville.

For a great opportunity to enjoy some fresh air outside and see some of the most impressive hot-air balloons anywhere around, don’t miss the Kentucky Derby Festival BB&T Great BalloonFest. This is a three-day event that combines the Great Balloon Race and the Great Balloon Glow in a single experience so you can enjoy it all. Whether you are a long-time hot-air balloon lover, or it’s your first time checking out these amazing vessels, this is something truly not to be missed.

The BB&T Great BalloonFest starts on Thursday, April 23rd, and goes through Saturday, April 25th. The initial Great Balloon Glimmer will be held at 8:30 pm on Thursday, with a Rush-Hour Race starting with a launch at 7 am on Friday, then the Great Balloon Glow at 6 pm Friday evening, and finally, the Great Balloon Race launching at 7 am on Saturday. Admission is free with your 2020 Pegasus Pin, though parking fees may apply.

Cherokee Triangle Art Fair – April 25th-26th

If you have a love of hand-crafted pottery, artwork, jewelry, or sculpture, then you owe it to yourself to check out the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair. As one of the oldest and most respected art fairs in the area, more than 20,000 people attend every year to see the impressive selection of finely-crafted items available from hundreds of exhibitors. This art fair has been going for more than 40 years and includes fun events for the whole family – including an art tent and pottery lessons for kids.

The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair will be held on Saturday, April 25th and Sunday, April 26th in the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood here in Louisville. Admission is free, though be sure to bring your wallet as there are plenty of delicious food vendors on-hand that you won’t want to pass up. The Art Fair runs from 10 am to 6 pm both days, and there will also be live music and similar entertainment to enjoy.

Old Louisville Springfest – May 16th

A group of friends are enjoying beer at a Louisville beer garden.

Because we’re talking about fun things to do in spring, what better way to celebrate the warm weather and stunning beauty of this area than with the Old Louisville Springfest? Nearly 10,000 visitors flock to Toonerville Trolley Park each year for a terrific day of fun and celebration. There will be more than 100 local artists and vendors on hand with unique art, crafts, and handmade goods for you to check out, along with delicious food, drinks, and live music. The Kosair Kidzone is perfect for kids of all ages, while the Springfest Beer Garden is a great place to relax with a cool drink.

The Old Louisville Springfest will be held on Saturday, May 16th, from 10 am to 7 pm, and admission is completely free – though you may need to pay for parking. The Springfest is held at Toonerville Trolley Park, located near the corner of Brook and Oak St in Historic Old Louisville. This is an event you won’t want to miss, and one of our favorite celebrations of the amazing Louisville lifestyle.

Kentucky Flea Market – May 22nd-25th

If shopping is where your interests rest, then you don’t want to miss the Kentucky Flea Market Memorial Day Spectacular. Over 600 booths featuring more than 100 antique and collectible booths will be on-hand and this Flea Market is attended by more than 15,000 shoppers every year. This is one of the biggest and most impressive flea markets anywhere around, with more things to see and buy than you can possibly check out in just one day – that’s why there are four of them!

The Kentucky Flea Market Memorial Day Spectacular is being held from Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th. Admission is completely free, and parking is half-price with any purchase during the event. The Kentucky Flea Market runs from 10 am to 6 pm on Friday and Saturday, from 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday, and from 10 am to 5 pm on Monday. It’s all happening at the Kentucky Expo Center located on Phillips Lane here in Louisville; if you miss it, you’ll have to wait for the next one in September, so make sure you’re there!

Posted in Local, Louisville