LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
A summer staple is returning to NuLu this weekend. The NuLu Summer Fest is back once again for its third year, bringing thousands of people to Market Street.
The festival promises something for everyone, from delicious food to family-friendly activities and even competitions with exciting prizes.
“This event really brings everyone out on the streets,” said David Nichols, organizer of Summer Fest. “It encourages people to come explore the shops, see what’s new down here if they haven’t visited in a while, and support local businesses."
The festival will feature a lineup of food trucks, vendors and bars, as well as an array of activities to keep both kids and adults entertained. From pickleball and cornhole to chalk art, sandcastle building and limbo contests, there is no shortage of ways to join the fun.
One of the highlights of the event is the watermelon-eating contest, held separately for kids and adults.
“Winners of the adult limbo contest and the adult watermelon-eating contest will get tickets to 'Bourbon and Beyond' this year,” Nichols said. “We get quite the turnout when people hear that announced on stage."
This year, people at the festival can also look forward to a new addition: Hoop Louisville, a mobile basketball pop-a-shot game.
"We're really excited," Sarah Tredway, owner of Hoop Louisville, said. "This is our first big festival, and we're just excited to get it exposed to everyone and let people see what's out there."
Tredway and her husband bought the mobile basketball arcade one month ago, and they hope being at the event will bring a lot of attention to their new business venture.
"Just getting invested in more people and more in the community and hopefully, you know, pick up some bookings for the business," Tredway said.
As for the weather, organizers are not worried about potential rain showers dampening spirits.
“We’ve had some very hot days these past two weeks,” Nichols said. “If we get a couple of showers, that might just cool us off. People might have to duck inside and grab a drink, but it should clear up, and we’ll be good to go.”
The event kicks off on Saturday at noon and runs until 7 p.m. Market Street will be closed between Clay and South Campbell streets.