When you think of Louisville's signature event, the Kentucky Derby comes to mind. But two weekends in September are proving to be even bigger than the first Saturday in May.
Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life brought more than 400,000 people to the fairgrounds. That's hundreds of thousands of visitors staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and shopping in our stores.
And here's the best part: Even with crowds that big, everything went just about flawlessly. That is a testament to the planning and professionalism behind the scenes.
These aren't just concerts. They're events that allow people to experience Louisville's culture, hospitality and spirit. Visitors come here from across the country and around the world and leave with great things to say.
These festivals drive millions of dollars into our community. And Danny Wimmer Presents has committed to keep them going for at least 10 years.
Just as Churchill Downs dedicated a statue of Matt Winn for making the Kentucky Derby a national spectacle, I'd love to see the Fair and Expo Center put up a statue of Danny Wimmer. His vision made our city a destination for a whole new crowd.
I'm Bill Lamb, and that's my POV.
