Director's Take

Spring Ready

04-10-2026

Dear Friend of Downtown,

After missing our kick-off to the Derby Festival last year, due to massive flooding and related concerns on our waterfront, we are getting ready to come back as a community to celebrate and show off for the best several weeks of the year.
 
Our ambassadors have been scrubbing the sidewalks, rehanging banners, and tidying up streetscapes … all tree wells have received new mulch … we’re hosting nearly 200 volunteers on two days over the next two weeks to pick up litter … and we are about to plant new flowers in approximately 200 flower pots around Downtown.
 
This is in addition to the hotels and venues doing their own spring cleaning, dusting off winter’s cobwebs and putting a new shine on their own front doors and shared spaces.
 
Spring is a special time in Louisville, it’s warm enough that things are in bloom and we’re not yet sweltering from the heat of the summer. And it’s a special time, particularly in Downtown. Yes, I’m biased, but I’d love to show you.
 
Hope to see you on the streets soon!