Louisville City Wire

Mayor Craig Greenberg today announced plans for the 21st annual WorldFest on the Belvedere and the return of the Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle over the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

“WorldFest and the Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle are two signature events that bring extra excitement to Labor Day weekend here in Louisville. Louisville continues to grow as a global, welcoming city, and I am thrilled to see so many Louisvillians come together to celebrate one another’s heritage,” said Mayor Greenberg. “The inclusion of Hike, Bike & Paddle on that Monday is wonderful as we continue to work toward a healthier hometown together.”

WorldFest

The 21st annual WorldFest, presented by Louisville Third Century and Park Community Credit Union, kicks off on the Belvedere on Friday, Sept. 1, and runs through Monday, Sept. 4. The four-day WorldFest features three entertainment stages showcasing more than 70 acts, along with a Global Village representing more than 20 countries, free children’s activities, a Parade of Cultures and more.

The festival also features more than 40 food vendors and over 100 booths offering global crafts, merchandise and culture within the GE Appliances World Hub.

The Global Village Overlook Plaza will host one of four Stella Artois Biergartens, presented by Anheuser-Busch and Standard Sales Company, where those 21 years and older can responsibly sample a selection of international and domestic beers.

This year’s Children’s Area is sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Louisville. Free activities will take place Saturday through Monday and include face painting, games, crafts and more.

On Friday, Sept. 1, the Louisville Metro Office for Immigrant Affairs will host the Naturalization Ceremony at the Muhammad Ali Center where more than 60 immigrants will become U.S. citizens. The next day, the Parade of Cultures, presented by McDonald’s of Greater Louisville, Lexington and Southern Indiana, will take place. Residents will march down 5th Street to the top of the Belvedere dressed in native attire to showcase our city’s cultural heritage and diversity.

WorldFest admission is free thanks to the support and generosity of our two Presenting sponsors, Louisville Third Century and Park Community Credit Union, and our Contributing sponsors Passport by Molina Healthcare and Stella Artois, presented by Anheuser-Busch and Standard Sales Company.

“As a proud Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Park Community Credit Union cherishes our connection to WorldFest. It’s more than a sponsorship; it’s a deep appreciation for the cultures that shape Louisville. We’re passionate about bringing people together, valuing every story and celebrating our shared spirit,” said Tiffany Felts, vice president of Marketing and Development, Park Community Credit Union.

Mayor Greenberg today thanked those sponsors, as well as GE Appliances, a Haier Company; YMCA of Greater Louisville; McDonald’s of Greater Louisville, Lexington and Southern Indiana; Louisville Downtown Partnership; T-Mobile; JBS; UPS; Louisville Metro Office for Immigrant Affairs; and Louisville Parks and Recreation. Media sponsors are WLKY and Matt Milosevich, the official meteorologist of WorldFest, NewsRadio 840 WHAS and 100.5 FM, and media partners are Al Día en America, Outfront Media and LEO Weekly.

Special thanks to LG&E, Malibu Rum, Louisville Tourism, Louisville City FC, Derby City Environmental, the Galt House Hotel, Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Metro Public Works and Assets Signs and Markings Division, Electrical Maintenance, Louisville Metro Facilities and Fleet, Solid Waste Management Services, Louisville Metro EMS, and Louisville Metro Police Department.

The Belvedere, which has been home to WorldFest for the past 21 years, is celebrating 50 years. Since its opening on April 27, 1973, the Belvedere has welcomed hundreds of festivals, concerts, dances and other celebrations. To celebrate, the Mayor’s Office for Special Events, with support from Louisville Downtown Partnership, is hosting the first WorldFest Happy Hour on Thursday, August 31, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Attendees will have the opportunity to come and check out WorldFest a day early, enjoy live entertainment and receive food and drink specials from select WorldFest vendors. Live entertainment is brought to the Fountain Stage by TAJ Louisville, the Louisville Folk School, the Jug Band Jubilee and MERF, the Musicians Emergency Resource Foundation.

To learn more, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/city-events/worldfest. Participants are encouraged to share photos on social media using #WorldFestLou and tagging @AroundLou.

Hike, Bike & Paddle

Louisville cyclists, paddlers and walkers will be on the move again at the Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle on Monday, Sept. 4 as it returns this Labor Day to the Waterfront Park Great Lawn.

Hike, Bike & Paddle will welcome back several fun, free activities and introduce new ones as well, all beginning at 8 a.m. Returning this year are tai chi, yoga and Zumba. The event will also feature free voyager canoe rides, cricket, Pound and HYP3 fitness demonstrations, which will get attendees moving, as well as several informational vendors. Free event T-shirts will be given to the first 2,000 attendees beginning at 8 a.m. while supplies last. At 10 a.m., the traditional cannon will fire, and Mayor Greenberg will send all attendees off on their Hike, Bike or Paddle.

Norton Sports Health will continue to support this annual healthy lifestyle city event by returning as Presenting sponsor.

“Norton Healthcare encourages and supports events and activities that promote health, wellness and exercise,” said Russell F. Cox, president and chief executive officer, Norton Healthcare. “We are proud to support our community and know that a healthy, active lifestyle is key to improving or maintaining your physical and mental health. The Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle is a nice way to end the summer season and we encourage participation in this family-friendly event.”

For those going out on the bike ride, make sure to bring your helmet. For those needing a helmet, the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky will be supplying and fitting helmets while supplies last.

For hikers, this year features four different route options, including one to the base of the Big Four Bridge, one to the RiverPark Place apartments, and the furthest going across the Big Four Bridge into Jeffersonville, Ind. and back.

For cyclists, they will travel to Shawnee Park and back to the Great Lawn, a total of 12 miles.

The paddling course will begin shortly after the hikers and bikers take off. The route features five miles of scenic paddling along the Ohio River through the McAlpine Locks (locks close at 11:30 a.m.) to the Shawnee Boat Ramp by noon. TARC will offer a free shuttle for the return trip to the Great Lawn.

Be sure to bring your own refillable water bottle with you this year to fill up at one of the water refill stations.Media support comes from WLKY, 98.9 Kiss FM and NewsRadio 840 WHAS.

Additional support comes from Waterfront Development Corporation, River City Paddle Sports, Louisville Bicycle Club, Nu Image Fitness, Nu Chapter Tai Chi Chuan & Qigong Institute, Yoga East, Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling, Clarksville Schwinn, The Hiker Babes, 502 Dragons and Derby City Dragon Boats. Support also comes from the following Metro departments: Louisville Metro Police Department, Louisville Metro Fire Department, Louisville Metro EMS, Louisville Metro Facilities and Fleet, Public Works and Assets Signs and Markings Division, Transportation Planning and Technology Services and the Mayor’s Office for Special Events.

This is the 19th year for the Hike, Bike & Paddle events, which are held each Memorial Day and Labor Day. The events are part of the city’s Healthy Hometown Movement, created to encourage Louisville residents to be more active and make healthier lifestyle choices.

To learn more, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/city-events/mayors-hike-bike-and-paddle.

Original source can be found here.