May 17th – May 23rd
Welcome back to The Louisville Plug.
This week is a big one. We've got the world's largest Beatles festival walkable across the Big Four Bridge, bluegrass legend Sam Bush in Paristown, one of the biggest free vintage markets of the year on the waterfront, and a brand new roller coaster debuting at Kentucky Kingdom.
Inside this issue:
🥪 The Local Rec: A throwback to our very first ever rec in honor of 3,500 subscribers.
⚜️ What's Happening in Lou: Abbey Road on the River, Uncle Boojie's Roots Revue, Fleur de Flea, and Kentucky Kingdom opening weekend.
💸 Insider Perks: Your chance to win 2 free tickets to Abbey Road on the River.
Bonus question: something we're thinking about...
We're exploring the idea of a physical version of the Louisville Plug, think a monthly subscription that ships either weekly or monthly. Could be a printed newsletter with more in depth local coverage, puzzles, crosswords, maps, that kind of thing.
Let me know your thoughts. No hard feelings, purely just thinking out loud.
Would you pay for something like that?
Okay, now let's get into this week. 👇
In honor of hitting 3,500 subscribers, we're bringing back our very first ever Local Rec from @thelouguru.
Fun fact: the issue this originally ran in went out to a grand total of 21 people. Looking back at how fast this thing has grown is genuinely surreal, and I don't take a second of it for granted. I'm grateful you take time out of your Sunday to read what we put together every week. I'm always trying to improve it and pack in as much value as I possibly can, and I hope that comes through every issue.
A huge thank you to Todd for believing in us enough to be our very first Local Rec back when almost nobody was reading. And thank you, genuinely, to all of you for reading and being part of this.
Now enjoy the one that started it all. 👇
🥪 The Local Rec
A Louisville local’s food rec, every week.
This week’s recommendation comes from:
Todd Lanham @ thelouguru
The Lou Guru is always checking out restaurants, dives, and events around town and always makes sure to let us in on the action. If you ever need dinner inspo around the city, or just want to feel hungry looking at pictures of incredible food, check him out!!!
Their Rec: CJK Kayrouz Delicatessen
Why they love it:
“CJK Kayrouz Delicatessen is everything I love about locally owned neighborhood businesses and you need to get out there and show them some love...like today.”
“Founded by Joe (JP) Kayrouz and carried on today with the same recipes by son, Christopher "CJK" Kayrouz. Located on Frankfort Avenue between Louisville's Crescent Hill and St. Matthews neighborhoods, Kayrouz deli offers full-service indoor seating, a spacious outdoor deck, bar seating and broad options of beer, wine and liquor.”
“My son and I stopped in for a couple of deli sandwiches and couldn't have been happier. The prices were affordable, the meats where piled high and it just felt like everybody in there had a love for our city.”
“They have it all...reubens, corned beef, pastrami, amazing clubs (like this traditional one with a housemade pepperjack cheese spread!) and huge burgers. Add in soups, fresh sides and $10 daily specials and you have the makings of something special.”
Thank you Todd for the rec! As a reuben lover myself I can’t wait to check this place out. Be sure to follow thelouguru on instagram and let him know if you try out CJK Kayrouz Delicatessen.
⚜️ What’s Happening in Lou?
We curate 4 events worth your time each week.
🗓️ Thursday, May 21st – Sunday, May 24th | Multiple showtimes daily
📍 Big Four Station Park, Jeffersonville (walkable via the Big Four Bridge)
💸 1-day GA $49 advance / $59 at door / Kids 17 & under FREE with ticketholder
The world's largest Beatles inspired music festival is back just across the river for its 24th year, and you can literally walk there from Louisville via the Big Four Bridge. Over 50 bands across 5 stages over 5 days, with a lineup stacked deep enough to make any '60s and '70s fan lose their mind. 2026 headliners include Micky Dolenz of The Monkees celebrating the band's 60th anniversary, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, The Cowsills (the real life family band that inspired The Partridge Family), and Laurence Juber of Paul McCartney's Wings.
Beyond the music there are interactive Beatles themed art installations, local food and drinks, a vendor marketplace, and a kids' playground. Grab discounted tickets before May 20th at the Southern Indiana Visitor Center to save $10 at the door.
🎟️ GIVEAWAY: We're giving away 2 tickets to Abbey Road on the River this week. Details and entry below in Insider Perks.
🗓️ Saturday, May 23rd | Daytime
📍 Waterfront Park
💸 Free
One of the largest free outdoor vintage markets in the region lands on the waterfront for Memorial Day Weekend. Over 200 vendors from across the country set up right along the Ohio River with antiques, vintage clothing, handmade goods, art, records, furniture, jewelry, and the kind of one of a kind finds you only stumble across at markets like this.
Free to walk in, perfectly situated on the water, and one of the best browsing days Louisville puts on all year. Bring cash, bring a friend, and give yourself a few hours. You'll need them.
🗓️ Friday, May 22nd – Saturday, May 23rd | Gates open 3pm both days
📍 Christy's Garden at Paristown Arts District, Brent St
💸 2 day GA $50.40 / Single day passes available
Louisville's home for bluegrass returns for two days of live music in the heart of Paristown, and this year's headliner is the real deal. Sam Bush, bluegrass legend and one of the genre's originators, closes out Saturday night. Friday brings Louisville Folk School, Mama Said String Band, Marion Halliday, and the Lonesome River Band from 5:15pm to 10:45pm. Saturday rolls from 4pm with KSBTM Ensembles, George Carnes, Dean Osborne Band, Bibelhauser Bros, and the Sam Bush Band capping the night.
The festival benefits the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, with students sharing the stage alongside national talent. Vintage vendors, records, pottery, and jewelry line Brent Street all weekend, with cocktails featuring brand new Paristown distillery Uncle Boojie's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Rain or shine.
🗓️ Saturday, May 23rd
📍 Kentucky Kingdom, Phillips Ln
💸 General admission ticketed
Kentucky Kingdom is back open for the 2026 season and they're debuting a brand new roller coaster to kick it off. Flying Fox is a lime green suspended coaster inspired by daring crop duster pilots and Kentucky's farming heritage, and a brand new ride on opening weekend is exactly the kind of hook every thrill seeker in the 502 has been waiting for.
Opening weekend also kicks off Floral Frenzy, a celebration of the transition from spring to summer running through June 28th. Expect larger than life mosaiculture, live flower walls, picture perfect photo moments under a colorful canopy, and live music throughout the park. Whether you're chasing the new coaster or bringing the family for a low key Saturday, opening weekend is the move before the summer crowds roll in.
💸 Insider Perks
Exclusive deals only for Louisville Plug readers.
🎟️ GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Abbey Road on the River
We're giving away 2 tickets to one lucky reader for Abbey Road on the River this Memorial Day Weekend. A 5-day pass to one of the most iconic music festivals in the region, completely free. The kind of weekend you'll be talking about long after the last set ends.
How to enter: Hit the button below to submit your entry. That's it.
Don't sleep on this one.
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Thanks for reading!
— The Louisville Plug