Louisville Downtown Street Faire
Friends, Family, Community and the Magic of Live Music
For three or four hours, seven summertime Friday evenings, life is just like it should be. Babies don’t cry, dogs don’t bark, and wise elders feel nineteen again. The Muse visits the musicians pretty much every night and dances when the spirit moves her. We don’t know why this all happens here, we’re just glad it does.
Great American Music 2012
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Jun 15 CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band
When CJ and band first came to the Faire in 2010, they were guests. Now they’re family. Literally. Washboard player Louisiana Slim married a local lady he met at the Faire! You know that these Zydeco masters will have the Steinbaugh hopping.
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Jun 22 The Samples
Back by popular demand, it’s going to be a Boulder County kind of night as local boy made good Sean Kelly and band will play the unique reggae-flavored songs that make them one of the best loved musical ensembles to ever come out of Boulder.
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Jun 29 The Nighthawks
The Street Faire talent search takes a rare trip to the East Coast to bring you rhythm’n’blues legends, The Nighthawks. The Washington DC based quartet will bring a groove-laden sound to the Steinbaugh with their unique take on American roots music.
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Jul 6 The Groove Hawgs
And now for something completely different. Join us for a 4th-of-July-weekend party with 103.5 morning personalities Lewis and Floorwax playing the role of their musical alter egos, The Groove Hawgs. It’s all just for fun – and fun for all.
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Jul 13 The New Riders of the Purple Sage
American. Originals. When the double-helix cosmic-highway San Francisco Sound merged with Country, these guys were THERE. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the real pedal-steel deal: please give a big Street Faire welcome to David Nelson, Buddy Cage and the New Riders of the Purple Sage.
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Jul 20 Marcia Ball
Back by popular demand, for her fourth consecutive year, please welcome, from N’awlins, the lady with the legs, the in*******credible piano player, and possibly the nicest person to ever grace the Steinbaugh stage – the great Marcia Ball. Her band is pretty good too.
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Jul 27 The Smithereens
Another East Coast band? How you doin’? These FM radio hit makers, (“Blood and Roses”, “Only a Memory”, “A Girl Like You”) play music for the joy of it, and joy is highly contagious. In addition to their great originals, they do amazing covers of some decent bands, like the Beatles and the Who. This is going to be fun.
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Aug 3 Tab Benoit
Were you at the Faire for Tab’s show last summer? If you were, you know. If not, do not miss this – we’re talking a power trio experience extraordinaire. The Faire seems to bring out the best in all our Louisiana musicians. Or maybe it’s the other way round.
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Aug 10 Gregg Rolie Band
Oye como va. Join us for a very special evening with the Santana and Journey co-founder and his all-star band. This show will be all about Latin infused originals and the songs Gregg wrote and sang for Santana, including covering their masterwork, Abraxas.
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Aug 17 Emmitt-Nershi Band
It’s been a wonderful summer and we’re going out in style. Join Louisville native Drew Emmitt of Leftover Salmon and Bill Nershi of String Cheese Incident for an only-at-the-Faire evening of jaw-dropping musicianship and good jam-band vibes.
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The Street Faire runs 5:30–9:30pm.
The Street Faire is at the Steinbaugh Pavilion, 824 Front Street. Music starts around 6:30.
There is excellent food, cold drinks, lots of children’s activities, quality arts, crafts, sundries, and, because of our awesome sponsors, this event is FREE!
Rules? We don’t need no stinking rules! Well, actually we do, for courtesy and legal reasons.
- PLEASE do not bring alcohol to the Faire—it is illegal and just not faire to the folks bringing you this free event. Alcohol sales fund the Faire!
- PLEASE do not carry alcohol outside the Faire boundaries—this is also illegal
- PLEASE do not bring your own chairs or blankets anywhere under the tents or under the pavilion
- PLEASE park in legal spaces only or you will get towed
- PLEASE be courteous of our neighbors! Stay out of yards and gardens and do not leave trash or bodily fluids
- The Street Faire is a NO SMOKING event
FAQs
- Q: Can I bring food to the Faire?
- A: Yes, but why not try a Downtown restaurant or some of the excellent Faire cuisine?
- Q: Can I bring alcohol to the Faire?
- A: Absolutely not.
- Q: What beverages are for sale?
- A: We sell Avery Brewing, Crystal Springs Brewing and Gravity Brewing beers, Espolòn Margaritas, and Fetzer wines. Water is available from our food vendors for purchase.
- Q: Are credit cards accepted?
- A: Yes!
- Q: Can I bring my dog to the Faire?
- A: Due to the crowd size and potentially hot weather, we do not feel the Faire is a good place for your dog. That said, it is not illegal. They must be able to handle crowds and you must take very good care of them—dogs are not allowed under the tents or the pavilion.
- Q: Can I bring folding chairs to the Faire?
- A: Yes, but the chairs CANNOT be set up under the tents or the pavilion.
- Q: Where is First Aid?
- A: Look for the First Aid booth staffed by the Louisville Fire Department located in the library parking lot.
- Q: Is there a lost and found?
- A: Yes, at the north ticket sales booth.
Take the Shuttle to the Faire!
Park in front of Planet Fitness — Look for the Red Shuttle Flag
Downtown drop off and pick up on the NW corner of Main St & Short St.
Shuttles run 5pm to 10pm on Faire Fridays
Auto Parking
You can park in any legal space, but PLEASE be courteous to our neighbors:
- Do not park in restaurant lots unless you are eating there
- Do not block driveways—you will get towed
- Do not walk through residents’ yards
- DO NOT leave body fluids in residents’ yards
Bicycle Parking
The Street Faire Bike Corral is located due west of the Steinbaugh, behind Bittersweet and next to Por wine bar. Bring a lock!
Sponsor Opportunities
For Street Faire Advertising Opportunities, please email Marilyn Davenport.
Vendor Opportunities
We are now accepting Vendor Applications for the 2021 Street Faire.
Questions? Please contact Lawrence Anderson, Street Faire Manager.
Volunteer Opportunities
Help the Street Faire be a huge success!
If you would like to volunteer to work at the Faire, please email Lawrence Anderson
Media Inquiries
Please email Marilyn Davenport
Image Rights
The Downtown Business Association takes video and still photography during all Street Faires for promotional purposes. By attending the Street Faire, you give the DBA permission to use your likeness in promotional materials, waiving further notice or compensation.
Revenue from the Street Faire goes into making Historic Downtown a better place. Street Faire revenue funds, or helps fund:
- Holiday Lights
- Summer Flowers
- Carriage Rides
- The Arts District
- Local Charities