Louisville, KY

The Middletown community in the Louisville area is an interesting mix of commercial growth and a historic Main Street neighborhood. If you drive out Shelbyville Road you will find many shops with everything from pet stores, alternative health stores, restaurants, fun parks, to grocery stores. However if you go a few block over you will find yourself surrounded by older homes, majestic trees, and historic building that house small boutique shops.

This weekend Middletown will host its annual Middletown Milestone Festival that will be held from 6:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday and 10:00am to 10:00pm on Saturday. The festival is alcohol-free and family friendly with attendance expected to be more than 60,000 people.

So go out and enjoy one of the Louisville’s areas most popular community festivals.

The following is the event schedule from the festival’s web page.

Friday, September 7th
· 6:00 pm - Street Closes and International Market Booths open.
· 6:30 pm - Opening Ceremonies on the Milestone Stage
· 7:00 pm - The Tymes Band on the Milestone Stage
· 7:30 pm - Entertainment at the Gazebo
· 8:00 pm - Broadway on Main Street at First Baptist Church

Saturday, September 8th

· 9:00 am - Dog Show registration starts
· 10:00 am - The International Market Booths Open
· 10:00 am - The Family Dog Show
· 11:00 am - Children’s Activities at Miles Corner: Magic-balloons, Face-painting
· 12:00 pm - The Central Bank Parade
· 1:30 pm - Broadway on Main Street at First Baptist Church
· 2:00 pm - Mark Comley Magic Show at the Gazebo
· 2:00 pm - Miles Corner with Radio Disney am680
· 3:00 pm - Broadway on Main Street at First Baptist Church
· 4:00 pm - Mid-Life Crises on the Milestone Stage
· 6:30 pm - Mark Comley magic Show on the Milestone Stage
· 7:00 pm - The Monarch’s on the Milestone Stage
· 10:00 pm - The Fireworks Finale

Middletown, KY, Louisville, Community Festivals, Middletown Milestone Festival

Reforestation
Printed with Permission- Amanda Matthews Fields- www.wildhoneysuckle.com
Featured Artist for Dare to Care’s The Art of Caring event

If you like art and want to help combat hunger in Louisville, then you should check out Dare to Care’s, The Art of Caring event. This fundraiser will showcase up to 80 pieces of original juried artwork that will be available for auction. The event will be held on November 9, 2007 at Gardencourt from 5:30 to 8:30pm.

Dare to Care currently has a call out to all artists that would like to donate a piece of their artwork for this gala. The art must be received by October 12, 2007 and needs to have a minimum value of $100. The artist can donate 60, 80, or 100 percent of the proceeds of their artwork to Dare to Care, and they may attend the event for a discounted price of $25.

If you are not the artistic type, but would like to help out a great charity, attend a fun event, and possible purchase an original art piece, then consider attending The Art of Caring event in November. UpperCrust/ Intermezzo is catering the event and Brown-Forman is providing wine and beverages. Tickets will be $75 per person and all proceeds will go to funding Dare to Care’s various programs.

Dare to Care Food Bank is a non-profit organization whose mission is to relieve hunger in the Louisville and Southern Indiana. This charity operates a large 55,000 square foot food bank on Fern Valley Road and provides low cost food for social services agencies that combat hunger. Dare to Care also has an Emergency Food program that distributes food to people who are in a crisis situation at no cost. Food drives and food barrels at Kroger’s grocery stores help to provide food for this program. The Produce People Care program helps to collect fresh produce from local businesses for distribution to the hungry.

Dare to Care also has several programs that specifically help at-risk children who might otherwise go hungry. The Kid’s Café provides hot, no cost meals to children every night, while the Backpack Buddy program lets teachers send food home on Fridays so that children in need will have something to eat on the weekends.

Please contact Joey@daretocare.win.net for further details about The Art of Caring event and to obtain a participation form. You can also learn more about Dare to Care and other ways you can help this charity by visiting www.daretocare.org.

Dare to Care, Hunger, The Art of Caring, Gardencourt, Uppercrust, Intermezzo, Brown-Forman, Kroger, Amanda Matthews Fields, Wild Honeysuckle Art Studio

The Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Event is being held August 16th - 18th at the Holiday Inn on Hurstborne.

Featured on Oprah, Brides Against Breast Cancer is making dreams come true for men and women diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. It is the Making Memories Foundation’s number one fund raising event across the nation.

Brides Against Breast Cancer has received nearly 12,000 gown donations with an estimated retail value of over 3 million dollars. Over half the gowns are new designer gowns, donated directly from bridal shops and manufactures across the USA.

Prices for the gowns range from $89 to $799, and sizes range from 4 to 44. Accessories like slips, veils and shoes may also be available depending on the event.

“In America alone, one person receives a diagnosis of breast cancer every 2 1/2minutes, while every 12 minutes someone loses his or her battle against this disease.” *

The Making Memories Foundation also sponsors “Quilters Against Breast Cancer” and “Diamonds for Dreams” along with many other activities benefiting those diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.

Brides Against Breast Cancer Event Schedule:

Thursday, August 16
VIP Preview Sale: This fund raising event will be your first chance to see and purchase the gowns. Admission is $35 for the brides, and $15 for their companions.

To pre-register for the VIP Preview Event and get more information, you can visit PerfectWeddingGuide.com

Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18
The gown sale is from 10 a.m. to 8 pm and admission is free.

If you are not in the market for a wedding dress, but would still like to support a great cause, male and female volunteers are still needed for the event. Contact Joyce@PWG.com for more information.

If you are unable to attend this week’s event, the next Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Event will be held in Lexington August 23rd - 25th at the Holiday Inn North.

* Information is from the Brides Against Breast Cancer website, and the official news release.

Did you attend the event? Did you find your perfect wedding dress? Has someone you know been helped by the Making Memories Foundation? Leave us a comment below and tell us about it.

Oprah, Brides Against Breast Cancer, breast cancer, Making Memories Foundation, Quilters Against Breast Cancer, Diamonds for Dreams, stage 4 breast cancer, PerfectWeddingGuide

“Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair Board.”
August 19, 2006 - This “born ugly” creation from Bill and Dianna Thorn was crowned ugliest of the uglies at the Ugly Lamp Contest presented by Lynn’s Paradise Cafe. It, and its fairly hideous rivals, will be on display during the Fair.

One of the best things about any state fair is the opportunity to see that state’s best food, crafts, and hobbies. State fairs give local citizen the opportunity to display their favorite pastime and possible even earn a prize. There are twenty-nine departments and thousands of categories to compete in at the 2007 Kentucky State Fair. Most competitions cost $8 to enter and are free for senior citizens.

The deadline for entering has passed for this year but there is plenty of time to see all of this season’s exhibitions and winners. Most of the non-live stock exhibitions are also in the air-conditioning wings so it’s a great way to take a break from the August heat. Exhibits are open from 9am to 10pm.

Competitive Departments and exhibit location include the following…
Antiques- E. Hall
Beef Cattle-
Bees & Honey- W. Hall
Boer Goats-
Culinary- E. Hall
Dairy Cattle- W. Wing
Diary Goats- Pavilion
Diary Products- W. Hall
Egg Show- W. Hall
FFA- W. Hall
Field Seed & Grain- W. Hall
Fine Arts & Crafts- S. Wing A
Fruit & Nuts- W. Hall
4-H- W. Hall
Hobbies- E. Hall
Homebrew Beer- E. Hall
Homemade Wine- E. Hall
Kentucky Country Ham- W. Hall
Mules & Jacks- Stalls under Cardinal Stadium
Pigeons- Pavilion
Plants & Flowers- S. Wing A
Poultry- Pavilion
Rabbits- Pavilion
Sheep
Swine
Textiles- E. Hall
Tobacco – W. Hall
Tropical & Native Fish- S. Wing A
Vegetables & Melons- W. Hall

New competitions
Antiques: Kentucky Black History Memorabilia
Culinary: Pretzels, Toffee and Dried Apple Stack Cake
Homemade Wine: Merlot and Grape/Non-Grape Blends
Hobbies: Scrapbook Page Depicting a Birthday Party and Scrapbook Page Depicting a
Wedding

The Kentucky State Fair opens on this Thursday and runs until the 26th of August. The gates open at 7am and there are activities until at least midnight on most days. Parking is $5 per vehicle, and tickets range from $3 for kids and seniors to $7 for adults.

So come out and see the best walking sticks, Christmas gourds, pickles, swine, and herbal cough drops and help to preserve some of our state’s traditions. The Ugly Lamp Contest presented by Lynn’s Paradise Café is one of my favorites.

What is you favorite exhibit at the Kentucky State Fair?

Kentucky State Fair, Crafts, Hobbies, Competitive Exhibits, Livestock, 4-H, FFA

The Kentucky State Fair Free Concerts kick off on August 16th at 8:00pm with Alice Cooper.

Even if you aren’t a huge fan of Rock n’ Roll and heavy makeup, the 2007 Kentucky State Fair still has something fun and free in store for you.

The 2007 Kentucky State Fair Free Concert Lineup:

All of these concerts are FREE with paid gate admission to the Kentucky State Fair.

The doors to Cardinal Stadium open each evening at 6:30, so get there early if you want good seats! Concerts will be held rain or shine, and will only be called on account of lightning.

You can check out a Cardinal Stadium seating chart here.
Get full details on ALL the state fair concerts here.

Leave us a comment below and tell us if YOU are going to catch any of the free concerts at the fair this year. Which ones? Why?

The Kentucky State Fair, Free Concerts, Alice Cooper, Kool & The Gang, Saliva, Blackstone Cherry, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jon Russell, MercyMe, Tree63, Gary Allan, Eric Church, Lou Christie, Jay & The Americans, Lesley Gore, Jo Dee Messina, Steve Holy, Switchfoot, Emerson Hart, Blake Shelton, Tracy Lawrence, Cardinal Stadium

America’s Next Top Model

ANTM is holding an open casting call for Cycle 10 this Sunday August 12, 2007 at The Summit from 12pm - 6pm.

You do have to meet a few requirements before you can attend the casting.

The producers of America’s Next Top Model are looking for “a dynamic group of individuals who are…interesting, and [willing] to share their most private thoughts in an open forum.”

Prospective models with “diverse backgrounds” are also encouraged to apply. That means have your back-story ready ladies! ANTM loves a good sob story…

Applicants are required to bring a 3 minute video tape with at least one example of their best runway walk. If you need a good place to edit your video, you can try the Video Kitchen.

If you are interested, you can check out the eligibility requirements here and the application here.

Good luck ladies!

Did you or someone you know attend the casting?
Tell us about it! Leave a comment below.

Tyra Banks, America’s Next Top Model, Louisville Ky, The Summit, Video Kitchen, Casting Call, Open Call, Prospective Model, Models, ANTM

Stars of Disney’s High School Musical Movie

One of the hottest kids movies to be released in the last few years was Disney’s High School Musical. It is your typical high school story of finding your own way despite peer pressure, set to catchy songs and dancing. However, the Disney Channel movie took off in popularity and the DVD and CD’s sales have been setting sales records.

In case you and your kids had not seen enough of this movie, Louisville’s own Music Theatre Louisville is currently performing the staged version. Disney’s High School Musical opened last Friday night to 1700 fans. Ticket sales for the whole event exceed 11,000 before the first show opened, and MTL hopes that this performance will break their own ticket sales records.

The majority of the actors in this play are teenagers that auditioned from over twenty-three area high schools. They have rehearsed and are prepared to present a great show even in this hot weather. New Albany High School also produced the show last November to rave reviews.

Music Theatre Louisville produces five shows a year at the Iroquois Amphitheatre, which was completely renovated in 2003. MTL is in its 26th season and produces a range of Broadway musicals during the summer, has site based programming during the school year, and offers three musical theatres camps throughout the year. MTL has also just recently merged with Stage One and the Louisville Theatrical Association, who presents PNC Broadway Across America.

MTL has already produced Frog and Toad, Hello Dolly, and 42nd Street. The last performance after Disney’s High School Musical will be Oliver on September 7-9, 12-16, 2007.

MTL has just added extra shows for Disney’s High School Musical so you still have a chance to go if you have not already bought tickets. Shows still available are 8/7 at 8pm, 8/8 at 8pm, 8/9 at 8pm, 8/10 at 8pm, 8/11 at 11am & 8pm, and 8/12 at 8pm. MTL is also hosting a PEP Rally before the performances on 8/9- 8/12 with the cast of Disney’s High School Musical. You can meet the cast, take a tour backstage, and get a limited edition High School Musical 2 poster.

Ticket prices are as follows and can be bought at the ticket office, www.ticketmaster.com., or by calling 502-589-4060.
Adults - $23.00
Students (ages 6 – college ID) - $17.50
Seniors (60 plus) - $17.50
Child (5 & under) - $6.00

Disney’s High School Musical, Local Theatre, Music Theatre Louisville, Iroquois Amphitheatre

The Kentucky State Fair is just a week away so this is it, folks. Your official warning to find an alternate route to work if you have to drive anywhere near Crittenden Drive, Preston Highway, Grade Lane or the Fairgrounds in general.

Besides the obvious annoyance of driving in and around the fair while it is going on, the Fair itself is better than ever this year! 2007 is going to feature everything from Homeade Pie Competitions to Alice Cooper and even a real-live alligator wrangler. That’s right, nobody parties like Kentucky!

Those of you who know you are going to the Kentucky State Fair can purchase advance tickets at a discount.

Kroger stores are offering $5 adult admission prices and $2 children / senior tickets (regular price is $7 for adults and $3 for children / seniors) and $14 for 22 Thrillway ride tickets (price during the fair will be $20 for 22 tickets).
Most rides take two or more tickets.

To take advantage of this deal, just stop off at any Kroger location and show your Kroger plus card. To find a Kroger near you you can go here.
For full details on the Kroger Admissions Savings Program you can go here.

Caveats and Addendums:

Parking is NOT included in the gate admission price and is $5 per car.
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom season passes won’t work during the Kentucky State Fair, and the Kentucky Kingdom Water Park will be closed as well.

Discount tickets will only be available at Kroger stores until midnight August 15th, 2007.

What are YOU going to do at the Fair this year? Did you enter something? Tell us about it! Leave us a comment below.

The Kentucky State Fair, Alice Cooper, alligator wrangler, Kentucky, purchase advance tickets, discount., Kroger, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, season passes, Kentucky Kingdom Water Park