If you are looking for an original this is the place.
Crowds can grow as the day gets longer so I'll recommend an early arrival.
A variety of food and drink are available, a very good selection I might add. Love the neighborhood and totally enjoy visiting here yearly.
You'll have to pay to park if you aren't sure of the roads that lead to the venue.
Looking for your car in the dark on a road you can't remember parking on is a real buzz kill. Been there done that!
Take some time to visit a true Louisville tradition, i bet you return!
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It's become much bigger now but is still a smaller art fair worth the visit. Now two full days it brings food trucks, beer tents, ice cream and music to the event along with its artist booths. They also scatter tables along the street and near the music. A few people brought their dogs and several groups of people were standing around catching up with each other.
This art fair doesn't host children's activities – another reason I always liked it! It's nice to avoid dealing with a kid whining about a damn bouncy.
Make a day of it by eating at Naive or Butchertown Pizza Hall, shop at Work the Metal or grab a treat at Hi Five Doughnuts or Red Hot Roasters.
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As an added perk, there are tasty local food vendors, drinks, and live music. Pretty much a great way to spend the weekend.
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With all the love I have for Butchertown, this particular art fair could be better. This art fair is about to hit the 10-year mark and I had barely heard of it until just this past year. I think the community put more signs everywhere. Since there has been a recent surge in new businesses and the renewal of old businesses in the area, I think that also might've contributed to the awareness.
The art portion of this fair consists of one tiny street. It took us all of maybe 10-15 minutes to stride down and back. Some of the stands were more elaborate than others. Others were smaller and advertising some local business(Example: Edison House downtown). I didn't even know Edison was ever here and I plan to visit that place at some point.
There are two other smaller streets that branch off of the main street but they're filled with food trucks. It was great that this fair happened during a Flea Off Market weekend. I'm sure that attracts more traffic for them. I hate to say anything terrible about this fair because I'm glad it exists. It just seems odd that after almost 10 years, the size didn't seem like a 10 year fair. I don't know… maybe it was just me. Maybe it was a down year?
I did appreciate the vendors that I did see along the street. I saw plenty of vendors that I've never seen at the Flea, Cherokee Triangle or St. James. That part was refreshing. Maybe that's my issue. I enjoyed what little I did experience there that it made me crave more of it. In future years, I'm not sure if I'll go back. If there's not anything else going on in the city I likely will. It's just not a fair that I'd clear my schedule for like other local events.
Side Notes:
— Plenty of parking surrounds the area.
— More shaded than other events around town.
— It's on a beautiful street.
— This fair is in the late Spring/Early Summer. I know St. James gets a lot of praise around here but this fair would fit right in during the Autumn months.
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I like where it is located, the homes are lovely to look at and it is situated where there is ample parking fairly close by.
There were some lovely and interesting things to see. Many things I have seen before at the Flea Off Market or the St James Art Fair or the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair….or or or…
It is a nice addition to the abundance of art fairs Louisville is host to.
I don't think I would have gone if it had just been up to me. But we did a quick walk through, I got a lightbulb cookie from the Thomas Edison House, so you know….I'm not mad at it.
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The vendors were incredibly well curated. There was very little repetition and the variety was incredible. I appreciated seeing actual hand made art rather than the booths full of direct sales items (Avon/Lularoe/etc) and cheap imported jewelry that have infiltrated other art fairs. I bought some beautiful pottery and a friend bought handmade soap for her kids.
The food and beverage selection was also top notch. Copper and Kings was making mixed drinks using Butchertown Soda. There was a strong showing of food trucks. It was a hot day so Steel City Pops won us over.
If you didn't make it this year mark your calendar for 2018.
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Visiting from Indy the closest I can compare this too is the Talbot Street Art Fair but about half the size.
Partially shaded street with massive brick town homes, the neighborhood is pleasant and the residents care quite a bit for their area.
While walking the booths I enjoyed a true jug band howling out some tunes, it was later followed by a blues band located at the crossroads where the food trucks and tents were. Beer is also available, you must go to the beer ticket tent and purchase $5 tickets for each beer. A nice truck of a Lexington brewer's libations were available.
The content of the artists areas were comparable to most street fairs, lots of jewelry, specialty wood working and furniture, some canvas work and a few photographers. A nice representation of community activities as well, HIV awareness and prevention, Louisville city arts, humane society, hospice services for people and pets. There was a large focus on building and continued support of the community.
I've been there twice so far and plan to make it an annual visit.
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BRG food truck offered excellent burgers & fries & even a veggie one made with a mushroom. My mushroom burger was delicious. Kimberle & Al said their beef burgers were excellent. I didn't have the Gourmet hot dog, but photographed one. It looked gooood.
West 6 had three of their beers on tap. There were wine offerings & Ginger Beer. I believe these were brought by Copper & Kings. Louisville Tap had a booth with free cold water with cups or you could refill your own bottle for free. Thank you Louisville Tap.
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* Ate at a food truck that I've never seen before.
* Saw the biggest dog I've ever seen. (What is that dog's bowel movements like? I shudder to think.)
* Discovered the Louisville Stompers Jazz Band.
* Got some inspiration (and contacts) for art to put in my home.
All in all, it's a small art fair. Cherokee Triangle and St James are much larger. But larger doesn't always = better. Butchertown is very cool. You can walk through it in 30 minutes. But if you slowly walk though, stopping at every booth along the way, you'll spend over an hour. Just the right size, really. Not overwhelming.
As well, they have live music for you to listen to, a beer tent… It's a great place to spend an afternoon. Or, if you're actually looking to buy, head on down.
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Despite the heat and constant sun today, visitors leisurely strolled down the Washington Street. There was plenty of room to stop and catch up with friends met along the way or check out the booths (& actually see things).
Unlike Cherokee or St. James, where the crowds can be oppressive and prices are sometimes prohibitive, Butchertown is like the relaxed, younger sibling. Vendors that can't afford these big shows come out with fantastic, affordable finds.