5 Things to do this weekend 2.png

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The weekend is upon us, and there are plenty of things to do and see across Kentuckiana.

Here are a selection of events, markets, concerts and more happening Friday, Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 18.

Kentucky State Fair

Take part in Kentucky's summer tradition this weekend and next weekend. This year's Kentucky State Fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 25 at the Exposition Center in Louisville.

Friday, The Sugarhill Gang Melle Mel & Scorpio (of Furious Five) and the Ying Yang Twins will take the stage as part of the Texas Roadhouse Free Concert Series. 

Saturday includes performances by Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, with special guest Quiet Riot.

Sunday features the Oak Ridge Boys with special guests The Country Gold Tour including Leroy Van Dyke, Linda Davis, Jimmy Fortune and Rockland Road, who will perform the National Anthem and God Bless the USA.

Sunday is Military Sunday, where active military members, veterans and their families can attend the fair for free with a military ID. There is a limit of four free tickets, and parking is not included. Wristbands for Thrill Ville will be discounted 20% and available on-site. There is also a limit of four wristbands per valid military ID.

WDRB has you covered for all things Kentucky State Fair. For a complete guide of everything you need to know before heading to the fairgrounds, click here.

For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org or find the fair on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

The 121st World's Championship Horse Show

The world’s most prestigious horse show returns to Freedom Hall August 17-24 during the Kentucky State Fair.

The 121st event features more than 200 classes of Saddlebred horses and thousands of participants from around the country competing for over $1.5 million in prizes and World’s Champion titles.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Knobsfest 2024

St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church in southern Indiana is hosting its annual Knobsfest picnic this weekend.

The event kicks off Saturday, Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be food trucks, a beer garden, and live music. The Way Back takes the stage at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the Juice Box Heroes at 9 p.m.

Saturday's events include a fried chicken dinner, a kids zone, raffles and games.

Knobsfest is held at St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church, located at 5719 Saint Marys Road in Floyds Knobs. 

For more information, click here.

James B. Beam Distilling Co.'s 90th Anniversary Celebration

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. will celebrate its 90th anniversary this Saturday, Aug. 17.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the distillery on Happy Hollow Road in Clermont, Kentucky, you can learn this history of the "First Family of Bourbon." The self-guided journey includes guided tastings, vintage pours, apparel customization station with Louisville artist Bri Bowers, and an optional 90th anniversary lunch menu from Kitchen Table. 

There will also be live music, with performances by Ragtime, Small Time Napoleon, and Tony & The Tan Lines.

Tickets cost $50, and visitors must be 21 or older to participate.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

LouCity vs. Charleston Battery

Louisville City FC takes on Charleston Battery on Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium at 8 p.m.

The theme for the game is "Fill the Fam," which includes fireworks, a t-shirt giveaway and poster giveaway.

LouCity (16-4-2) is looking to extend its winning streak after beating Sacramento Republic FC 4-3 last Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium.

Tickets are available starting at $16 and can be purchased by clicking here.

Bonus Events 

It's summertime, which means there are also multiple markets, concerts and more happening this weekend:

Live music, entertainment:

  • Pickin' in Paristown featuring HOT BROWN SMACKDOWN 
    • Friday, Aug. 16 from 6-10 p.m.
    • Christy's Garden in the Paristown Arts District on Brent Street in Louisville
    • All ages, pet-friendly
    • Free
    • Food and cocktails will be available
  • Wombo with Shrudd and Treg 
    • Friday, Aug. 16 
    • Headliners Music Hall on Lexington Road in Louisville
    • Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
    • All ages
    • Tickets available for $15 by clicking here
  • Classic Silent Disco at Our Lady of Perpetual Hops 
    • Saturday, Aug. 17
    • 8-11 p.m.
    • Our Lady of Perpetual Hops, 300 Foundation Court in New Albany, Indiana
    • This classic silent disco experience includes the "Best of the Decades," hip-hop hits and pop and dance favorites. 
    • Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased by clicking here
  • Good Times Summer Concert Series ft. The Les Masters Band 
    • Saturday, Aug. 17
    • 6-11 p.m.
    • The Swerve from 6-7:30 p.m.
    • The Les Masters Band from 8-11 p.m.
    • The Central Green at Bolt + Tie, 1400 Main Street in Clarksville, Indiana
    • Free admission
    • Food trucks and a beer garden by Ten20 Craft Brewery
    • For more information, click here
  • Summer Grass: A Bluegrass and Craft Beer Benefit 
    • Sunday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m.
    • Headliners Music Hall on Lexington Road in Louisville
    • A concert and beer benefit for Louisville's Coalition for the Homeless
    • Performances by Mama Said String Band, Biebelhauser Brothers and Anna Kline
    • Draft and can beers from Mile Wide, Bells, New Belgium, West 6th, Atrium, Mirror Twin, Dssolvr and more
    • Tickets cost $15 in advance, $20 day of, with $30 VIP tickets available
    • For more information or to purchase tickets, click here
  • Little Shop of Horrors by Pandora Productions 
    • Louisville's Pandora Productions presents its production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Henry Clay Theater on South 3rd Street in downtown Louisville
    • Friday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
    • Sunday, Aug. 18 at 2:30 p.m.
    • Tickets available from $25
    • For more information or to purchase tickets, click here

Flea markets and more 

  • Paristown Flea 
    • Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Paristown Arts District on Brent Street in Louisville
    • Free admission
    • Explore more than 75 vendors selling jewelry, vintage, collectibles, vinyl and more
    • Live bluegrass music concerts in Christy's Garden
    • Food options at the Village Market Food Hall with Jeff's Donuts, Sarap Filipino Eatery, Bunz Burgers, Banditz Pizza, Noche Mexican BBQ and The Café
    • Specialty cocktails also on-site
    • Pet-friendly, but they must be on a leash
  • Jeffersontown Farmers Market 
    • Saturday, Aug. 17 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    • Jeffersontown Farmers' Market Pavilion, 10434 Watterson Trail, Jeffersontown, Kentucky
    • Local produce, flowers, and baked/artisanal goods and more
  • Jeffersontown Night Market 
    • Saturday, Aug. 17 from 6-10 p.m.
    • Jeffersontown Farmers' Market Pavilion, 10434 Watterson Trail, Jeffersontown, Kentucky
    • Free
    • The final Night Market of the season
    • Local businesses will have booths with arts, crafts, local produce and more
    • Live entertainment by Ron Poston and the Canyon Wolf Band
    • Food trucks and refreshments
    • For more information, click here
  • Floyds Knobs Farmers Market 
    • Sunday, Aug. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    • 400 block of Lafollette Station — Lawrence Banet Road/Highway 150 in the parking area next to Landmark Dental Care, across from McDonalds (near Highlander Point) 
    • Local farmers and small businesses will offer seasonal produce, local meats, eggs, honey, microgreens, jams and jellies, macramé, arts and crafts, plants, a market grill and more
  • Riverside Farmers Market 
    • Sunday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremon Landing at 7410 Moorman Road in Louisville
    • Fresh produce, eggs, honey, locally-raised pork, homemade preserves, salsas, candies, spice mixes, soaps, candles and more

Other events

  • Louisville Black Chef Showcase 
    • Sunday, Aug. 18 from 3-6 p.m.
    • Mellwood Art Center in Louisville
    • Tickets cost $65
    • The 2nd annual event showcases Louisville's black chefs
    • Try an array of small bites providing a diverse range of flavors
    • For more information or to purchase tickets, click here
  • Sensory-friendly Sundays at the Louisville Zoo 
    • Sunday, Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the zoo
    • Tickets cost $10 for adult zoo members and $7 for kids
    • Non-members cost $20 and children cost $15, which includes general Zoo admission
    • Ages 2 and under are free
    • Tickets must be purchased in advance
    • For more information or to purchase tickets, click here
  • IRONMAN 70.3 Louisville 
    • Sunday, Aug. 18
    • Triathletes will swim downstream through part of the Ohio River before hitting the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park for the 56-mile bike course and 13.1-mile run
    • You can stream the finish line camera on YouTube by clicking here starting at 10:15 a.m.
    • To look at road closures for the event, click here 
    • To learn more about the event, click here
  • 22nd annual Ribberfest in Madison, Indiana 
    • Friday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 17
    • Professional BBQ teams will go head-to-head in the Indiana State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off
    • Includes amateur competitors and a Kidz-Q competition of future pitmasters
    • Blues Bash live music each night, starting with Brandon Santini on Friday
    • Tickets cost $50 for both days
    • Kids 12 and under can get in free with a paid adult
    • For more information or to purchase tickets, click here

These are just a handful of events happening this weekend. To look at a full calendar of other markets, concerts and more, click here.

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