A year ago, we were knee-deep in PGA Championship buzz—Louisville knows how to host big. And yes, before you yell Free Scottie, check out ESPN’s recap of that wild scene.

This weekend I hit the 10th Annual Norton Commons Art Festival—large crowds, perfect weather, 100+ booths. My kids got temp tattoos, I got Spinelli’s 🍕 but lost out on a great art piece to a faster buyer.

Later in the week: happy hour at Locals Food Hub & Pizza on Broadway with some real estate and finance folks who are bullish on that downtown corridor — surprising and encouraging. Then Bamboo Coffee & Donuts for hipster vibes, a killer blueberry cake 🍩 , and genuinely some of the nicest people you’ll meet.

Hot job 💼: Sr. Manager, Engineering (Product Development) at KFC ($131K - $154K). 5+ yrs engineering leadership. Must manage equipment design, testing, and commercialization. Yes the colonel is still hiring locally! 🍗 

Shout-out 📣: Caroline Matthews of And-well Agency was recently promoted to Media Director! She jumped from media associate to director in under eight years—rare in agencies—and did it by relentlessly innovating without switching firms.

Birthday Cheers 🎉: Pat Rigsby is celebrating a birthday today! He’s an Inc 5000 entrepreneur, a business coach and author of 19 books—yet somehow still flies under the radar. Read his fun back story here.

You all have strong opinions on where Louisville’s best food lives (see the poll at the bottom). Don’t miss this week’s confessional and a stacked lineup of events ahead. Big thanks to our newest sponsors—want your brand in front of the city’s smartest locals? Message me.

-Todd

📆 The Long Weekend List

Your go-to guide for making the most of the holiday weekend.

🎟️ Featured event

🎼 Abbey Road on the River returns May 23–27 at Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville—five days of Beatles tributes, peace, and rock ’n’ roll joy. It’s the world’s largest Beatles festival and a beloved local tradition. Over 200 concerts, themed parties, and plenty of nostalgia. If you’ve never been, this is the year. More info here.

🎉 Saturday – May 25

🐼 Yoga with a red panda nearby? Yes, please. Wild Workout: Yoga with the Red Panda happens at the Louisville Zoo on Saturday, May 25 at 8 a.m.—a 45-minute class followed by early Zoo access. Bring your mat, find your flow, and soak up the cuteness. Space is limited, so book it now!

🛍️ Fleur de Flea Vintage Urban Market pops up Saturday, May 24 from 10a - 5p at Waterfront Park’s Festival Plaza. Expect 200+ vendors slinging everything from vintage finds to vinyl, plus food trucks, cocktails, and live music. It’s quirky, fun, and right by the river—a perfect long weekend vibe.

🎭️ Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park kicks off Saturday, May 25 at 8p in Old Louisville’s Central Park with As You Like It. It’s free, outdoors, and full of charm—bring a blanket, grab a picnic, and catch live theatre under the stars. A summer classic that never misses.

🎢 Ride the Cyclone: A Musical hits the stage Saturday, May 24 at 7:30p at Highview Arts Center. It’s weird, witty, and a cult-favorite for a reason—think Glee meets The Twilight Zone. Perfect for those who like their theater with a twist.

🎬 Sunday – May 26

🎥 Art for Everybody screens at Speed Cinema Sunday, May 26 at 3p. This doc dives into Thomas Kinkade’s legacy and the hype behind his art empire. Love him or not—it’s worth a watch.

🪕 Roots Revue hits Paristown Sunday, May 25 from 4p–11p with Sam Bush headlining a full day of Bluegrass, food, and Kentucky pride. Tickets start at $30 (kids under 10 free). One of the weekend’s best bets—don’t miss it.

🇺🇸 Monday – May 27

🌞 Kick off summer with the city at Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle—Monday, May 26 at 10 a.m., starting from Waterfront Park. Free, family-friendly, and full of good energy. Choose your route, grab a t-shirt (first 2,000), and move with Louisville.

🇺🇸 Celebrate the holiday with heart—Jeffersontown’s Memorial Day Ceremony happens Sunday, May 25 at 6pm at Veterans Memorial Park. It’s a moving tribute with music, flags, and community pride. Bring the family, honor those who served, and take a moment to remember what the day is really about.

🪦 Memorial Day at Cave Hill offers a powerful pause—join the ceremony Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m. at the flagpole in the National Section. The cemetery is open all weekend (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) with info tents and $2 flags available. A quiet, meaningful way to honor those who served.

👉️ Have a story idea you think should be covered?  Submit yours here.

🗓️ Presented by: Anabel’s Oriental Rugs

I love Anabel's Oriental Rug because every rug feels like a work of art—handpicked, rich in story, and unlike anything you’ll find in a big box store.

Their “Try Before You Buy” option made it easy to see what worked in my space without the pressure.

If you’re in the market for something special, go visit their beautiful shop on Frankfort Avenue—you won’t regret it.

Side Gig Spotlight

Creative Hustles. Real People. Extra Income.

Dara Jade Tiller brings characters to life on screen—with a legit IMDb profile and real film credits to prove it. Between auditions and film shoots, she runs Summon the Muse, a sustainable styling service curating secondhand gems for people who want their clothes to say something.

From closet edits to thrift hauls and full-on wardrobe resets, Dara offers personalized packages that meet you where you are. Her eye for thrifted treasures isn’t just about trends—it’s about soul, sustainability, and serious flair. Clients walk away with wardrobes that feel personal, not off-the-rack. Dara’s the kind of stylist who sees the story behind every outfit. Trust me—click through.

🤫 Confess & Tell

Real Opinions. No Filters. No Names. Post your own anonymous confession here.

🏢 Louisville Spark Job Board

Who’s hiring in Louisville? 5 Trending jobs

• Director, Negotiations Strategy & Coaching at KPMG ($147K - $257K). 10+ yrs experience. Must have deep negotiation strategy skills and executive presence. MBA or JD preferred.

• Business Operations Manager at Raytheon Technologies ($130K - $170K). 10+ yrs in program/project management. Requires U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD Secret clearance.

• VP Marketing – Sports Betting/iGaming at Pentasia ($250K - $300K). 10+ yrs digital marketing with 5+ yrs in online gaming. Must lead acquisition, retention, and brand strategy. U.S. visa and relocation available.

• Project Manager at Vogt Power International ($110K - $160K). 5+ yrs managing $5M–$60M engineering projects. Requires engineering degree and international experience preferred. I’ve met their leadership team. Strong group.

• Territory Account Executive at Toast ($129 - $206K). Sales role focused on restaurant tech in North Louisville. Requires full sales cycle experience and strong consultative skills.

Presented by: Abbey Road On The River

Abbey Road on the River returns May 23–27 with five days of Beatles-inspired music and good vibes along the Jeffersonville riverfront. Dozens of tribute bands, local acts, and international performers bring the energy from afternoon sets to late-night singalongs.

It’s family-friendly, packed with food, vendors, and nostalgia, and always a highlight of the season. Tickets are on sale now. If you’ve never been, this is the year.

🏛️ Know Your City

The orgs, agencies, and leaders shaping the future of our city.

👨‍🏫 JCPS has named Dr. Brian Yearwood as its new superintendent and he isn’t just talking—he’s showing the receipts. Here’s the three most interesting things about his background and focus.

1. Turned around failing schools and districts
   In every role—from teacher to superintendent—he’s improved performance, boosted attendance, and transformed failing campuses into A-rated schools using data, equity, and relentless focus.

2. Leads with transparency and trust
   He’s big on community input, collaboration, and telling the truth—even when the numbers aren’t pretty. That includes showing up in Frankfort to fight for what JCPS needs.

3. Plans to tackle JCPS’s biggest challenges
   From fixing the $100M deficit to improving chronic absenteeism, Yearwood laid out practical, people-first strategies—and made it clear: he’s ready to work.

🥃 Final Sip

Every time we’ve gathered people at Louisville Spark Live, JCPS comes up. Opinions vary—some hopeful, some frustrated—but everyone agrees it’s a critical part of our community. After watching Dr. Brian Yearwood’s 46-minute public forum presentation and hearing his story, I left with something I hadn’t expected: a little hope.

As we celebrate this long weekend, it’s also a moment to appreciate the deeper things—like the people who’ve sacrificed so we can gather freely, learn openly, and shape the future of our city together.

-Todd

⚡️ Spark Poll

Last week’s poll results: 
What's your favorite way bet on the big race?

• Downtown - 42%

• Frankfort Ave - 33%

• Highlands - 25%

• Jtown - 0%

• South End - 0%

• So. Indiana - 0%

• St Matthews - 0%