LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — From sizzling street food to international music, thousands of people packed downtown Louisville Monday for the final day of WorldFest.
Crews began breaking down booths on the Belvedere Monday evening, but the crowds stayed strong until the very end.
For more than 20 years, WorldFest has transformed downtown into a global marketplace with food, shopping and entertainment from more than 20 countries.
“It’s just amazing — you feel like you’re traveling the world without ever leaving downtown,” one festival goer said.
For many, the festival was about more than food.
T’Von Terry, with the nonprofit Change Today, Change Tomorrow, said his group used the event to connect with new people.
“We’ve been at WorldFest just because we know all the traffic that’s coming through, and we want to spread the information about all the work we do,” Terry said. “Most of our work is prioritized in the West End, but it’s still good to get other people’s focus and attention.”
Others came to celebrate birthdays or just enjoy the energy.
“September 1. Man, all the Virgos out here — we celebrating,” Steve Barnett said. “I came for this Jamaican food… everything’s top-tier.”
Local entertainers Kevin and Felicia Jones performed earlier during the weekend, but returned as fans.
“We wanted to come back and enjoy the festivities and the food,” Kevin Jones said.
“You have so many different varieties,” Felicia Jones added. “Why would you not come?”
First-time visitors Jason and Beth Lyons said they were impressed.
“The food is amazing,” Beth Lyons said. “Now, I’m going shopping — the clothing, the jewelry, all of it.”
Entertainment producer Jou Jou Papailler said strong crowds turned out every night of WorldFest.
“It’s one of the best times for everybody to come together, and it brings all cultures together — and that’s what I love about it,” he said.
Papailler said planning for next year’s festival begins almost immediately, and there could be a redesign in the works.
“WorldFest may be over,” he said, “but the spirit of it never ends.”
Previous Coverage:
Thousands attend Parade of Cultures at Louisville's WorldFest
Experience global cultures at Louisville's annual WorldFest this Labor Day weekend
104 new US citizens sworn in at WorldFest naturalization ceremony in Louisville
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
