KFC Yum! Center continues 15th anniversary celebrations with concert, free happy hour

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- You can help the KFC Yum! Center celebrate its 15th anniversary with a concert and free happy hour this Friday.

The arena is marking the occasion with fan-focused events and community engagement through December.

One of those events is scheduled for Friday. The community is invited to an evening full of festivities, including a free outdoor happy hour followed by the official KFC Yum! Center anniversary concert with country artist Zach Top inside the arena.

The free happy hour will be held on the plaza from 5:30-7 p.m., with live music, games and drink specials.

Top will follow at 8 p.m. with a performance in the arena as part of his "Cold Beer & Country Music" tour.

"This weekend is not just about the building, it's about the fans, the artists, and the community that have made this venue such an important part of Louisville," Eric Granger, KFC Yum! Center general manager, said in a news release Tuesday.

Tickets for the concert are still available, and can be purchased by clicking here. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Friday's festivities are part of a full lineup of celebratory events being held to commemorate the KFC Yum! Center's anniversary in Louisville.

A UofL men's basketball game will be held Oct. 24. A free community movie night and anniversary celebration is also scheduled for Nov. 23.

In addition to these events, the arena is celebrating all season long with giveaways, commemorative merchandise and renovation updates.

Crews are currently in the process of building a new roof on the center, as part of upgrades being made in preparation for the 15th anniversary.

Major improvements are expected aside from the new roof, along with long-term strategic planning. The Louisville Arena Authority—which owns and operates the KFC Yum! Center—is investing an estimated $13.6 million for infrastructure upgrades.

The replacement of the 250,000-square-foot roof is expected to be done by December. It's the largest single capital project approved by the LAA. Louisville-based Deer Park Roofing is managing the project. The construction was scheduled around the arena's event calendar to minimize any disruptions.

In September, arena officials launched a study seeking feedback from the community about the venue's direction and priorities, an effort aimed at reimagining the building at Second and Main streets through public input.

The LAA said the top priorities include improving guest experiences; planning new uses for underutilized spaces; "aligning with Louisville's cultural identity," such as bourbon; brainstorming for new events; and thinking about "financial stability" once current funding streams change or expire. Those interested in weighing in can complete the survey by clicking here.

Since opening in October 2010, the KFC Yum! Center has welcomed more than 13 million guests, hosted nearly 2,000 concerts, sporting events and conventions and has made a $1.4 billion economic impact on the city.

"The KFC Yum! Center has become one of our city's most significant economic drivers and a source of civic pride," Leslie Geoghegan, chair of the LAA, said in a news release. "This anniversary is not just about looking back, it's a celebration of the role this arena continues to play in shaping Louisville's future."

The arena serves as the home court for the University of Louisville men's and women's basketball programs.

Other upcoming events scheduled at the KFC Yum! Center are listed below. For more information about these events or anniversary events, or to purchase tickets to an event, click here.