April 19th – April 25th
Welcome back to The Louisville Plug.
This week is exciting as Derby season starts to heat up. We've got hot air balloons glowing over the waterfront, morning workouts at Churchill Downs before the city wakes up, and Opening Day at the most iconic racetrack in the world.
Most importantly: We've got three Insider Perks this week: Live horse racing at Churchill Downs for $5, $4 beers on the Ohio River, and an exclusive discount that makes Derby Week even easier to enjoy.
Inside this issue:
🌮 The Local Rec: Taco Tuesday! via Lori Gavin.
⚜️ What's Happening in Lou: Balloon Glow at Fest-a-Ville, Dawn at the Downs, and Churchill Downs Opening Day.
💸 Insider Perks: $5 Derby Week racing, $4 happy hour beers at Fest-a-Ville
🌮 The Local Rec
A Louisville local’s food rec, every week.
This week’s rec comes from:
Lori Gavin @ irishinkentuckylife
If you're not already following Lori, add her to your feed immediately! She's an Irish expat living her best life in Louisville and documenting every bit of it, from hiking Kentucky's best trails to finding the spots worth eating at in the 502. Between exploring the state like it's brand new and sharing it all with genuine excitement, her rec’s come from someone who chose this city and never stopped falling in love with it. If anyone knows how to find a hidden gem, it's the girl who moved here from Ireland and made Louisville home. This week's rec is no exception.
Their Rec: Taco Ranchero
Why they love it:
“My foodie go-to is 10/10 Taco Ranchero on poplar level road!”
"It’s such an unassuming spot, it’s a Guatemalan/Mexican mixed menu with so many options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, staff are always incredibly friendly, and there’s a Latin American supermarket attached which is a fun addition!”
The go-to order:
“I always get chicken tacos AND chicken pupusas”
Tacos from Taco Ranchero
Thanks to Lori for the local rec!
Be sure to follow irishinkentuckylife on Instagram and let her know if you make it to Taco Ranchero for taco Tuesday this week!
⚜️ What’s Happening in Lou?
We curate 3 events worth your time each week.
🗓️ April 25th | Gates @ 11:30am / First Race @ 12:45pm
📍 Churchill Downs
💸 Ticketed
Derby Week is officially here, and it kicks off in a big way this Saturday. For the first time since 2010, Churchill Downs Opening Day is a daytime event, which means live Thoroughbred racing in the afternoon sun with full Derby season energy all around you!
This is also the day the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks post-position draws are announced, so if you want to be there when the story lines are set, this is your moment.
One great bonus for runners this week: if you finished the mini-Marathon or Marathon and still have your medal, wear it to the gate and get in free!
You can find ticket information → HERE
🗓️ April 23rd | Fest-a-Ville opens @ 11am / Balloon Glow @ 9pm
📍 Waterfront Park
💸 Free with $7 Pegasus Pin (grab it now or pay $10 at the gate)
Fest-a-Ville is back for its 20th year and it is the heartbeat of Derby season at the waterfront. Nine days of live music, food trucks, carnival rides, the Ken-Ducky Derby, and more! All free with a Pegasus Pin you can grab right now at most grocery and gas stations around the city.
Opening night also brings one of the most uniquely Louisville sights of the entire season: the Great Balloon Glow. Tethered hot air balloons line the Great Lawn, pilots fire their burners, and the whole riverfront lights up synchronized to a special musical score. You can walk right among the balloons and talk to the pilots. It is as cool as it sounds.
There is a second Balloon Glow on Friday April 24th at 9pm too, so you've got two chances to catch it. Either way, get that Pegasus Pin before Thursday.
You can find more information → HERE
🗓️ April 23rd through April 29th | Daily @ 7am
📍 Churchill Downs
💸 Free
Here's the one most tourists never find out about. Every morning through Derby Eve, Churchill Downs opens its gates at 7am so you can watch the actual Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders run their morning workouts on the track while the city is still waking up.
No crowds, Just you, a coffee, and some of the fastest horses in the world. This is genuinely how locals experience Derby season and it is one of those mornings that sticks with you. Set the alarm, grab a cup from somewhere nearby, and get down there at least once this week. You will not regret it.
You can find more information → HERE
💸 Insider Perks
Exclusive deals only for Louisville Plug readers.
💰 Best Budget Move: 502'sDay at Churchill Downs
502'sDay returns for its fourth year on Tuesday, April 28th General Admission is just $5. Guests are encouraged to "Shop Local" and wear outfits from Louisville's local shops and boutiques. That's live horse racing at Churchill Downs, in Derby Week, for $5. Nothing cheaper exists for that experience.
🍺 Best Ongoing Deal at Fest-a-Ville
The Chow Wagon at Fest-a-Ville features a Beer Garden with $4 beers from 4–6PM on weekdays making it a solid happy hour option right on the Ohio River during Derby season.
📍Still going: 10% OFF Louisville Food Tours with our code!
The Deal: As a Louisville Plug reader, you've got an exclusive 10% off any tour booking. Perfect for a date night that actually has something to talk about, a fresh way to show visiting friends what this city is really made of, or an excuse to explore a neighborhood you've been meaning to get to.
Your Code: LOUISVILLEPLUG10
How to use: Head to Louisvillefoodtours.com, pick your tour, and drop the code at checkout.
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Go make this week great!
— The Louisville Plug