LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A longstanding Thanksgiving tradition in west Louisville continued for its 75th year Thursday.
The 2025 Juice Bowl drew large crowds of people to Shawnee Park, including Isiah Mack. He's the offensive coordinator for the West End Yellow Jackets -- a team he played for when he was 7 years old -- and now the team his son plays for.
"I haven't been down here since I played, and coming back down here, playing and winning for the team that I played and won for, it means a lot," Mack said.
This year things were a little different. The Juice Bowl still took place at Shawnee Park and still involved all kinds of football, but it was run by different people. The event included plenty of vendors, a kids' zone, a car show and free breakfast.
"Shout out to Ms. Tammy Hawkins for putting it together and doing it right, looking out for the kids and the people that came out," Mack said.
District 1 Metro Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins got the permit to host the Juice Bowl this year. Previously, it was run by Waddell Elliott, who claims the event was "snatched" from him.
Hawkins told WDRB that community members asked her to take over the event.
"When you listen to what the community wants to see happen in the city, today is what it looks like," Hawkins said.
Hawkins also said her office will now fully fund the Juice Bowl, and vendors won't pay fees and football teams will get in free.
"Having the city's support and trust, things like this, there's no reason that something like this should not be in the mayor's budget," Hawkins said.
For people like Mack who have been involved with the Juice Bowl for over 20 years, it's nice to see it continue.
"It's just a great event and experience for the kids and it means a lot to us," Mack said.
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