You know Fall has begun when the annual Nulu Fest gets underway. 2016 is the festival's 8th anniversary and my, how it has grown! We spoke with Ina Miller who has been a part of the festival in some way, shape, or form, all 8 of those years as either a producer, chair person, and now the PR person. Nulu Fest will be Saturday, September 24th on the 700, 800, and 900 blocks of East Market Street in downtown Louisville from 11 to 11.
Hi Ina. What's the history behind Nulu Fest? How did it get started?
NuLu Fest began 8 years ago as a way for the business association (NuLu Business Association, formally the East Market District Association) to draw people to the neighborhood. Gill Holland and Rick Murphy had the idea for the festival. We had just really started making a name for ourselves and wanted to show the community that NuLu is a fun place to visit, we have great galleries, shops and businesses to support that are all local. So eight years ago a small group of volunteers from the association put it together and it has continued to grow.
How much has the festival grown since its inception?
We started the first year with just 40 vendors, we shut down just one block of east market street, and only had beer (no bourbon or wine yet). I will say that it helped that our first year Ben Sollee played as our headliner, we got about 1000 people that first year. Last year we had about 15,000. Today we have 200 vendors, take up 3 blocks and the side streets, and have lots of beer, bourbon, wine, brandy, and moonshine. We expect 20,000 attendees, especially given the weather forecast. (Sunny with a high near 90)
What kinds of offerings will be available this year?
We will have something for everyone, all our vendors are regional and original, the food will be mostly NuLu businesses, we have a great kids area with music, crafts, and fun. Plus our music line-up won't disappoint- Sam 'Shake' Anderson is back and James Lindsey will be performing. We have all local craft beers, Jim Beam bourbon, Old 502 Wine, Copper & Kings, and Rabbit Hole moonshine. In addition, all the NuLu businesses will be open and having great specials. It is going to be awesome.
Music has seemed to be a big part of the festival. Who's performing this year?
Music is very important and we have a great music partner with Sonablast Records. They help us highlight local artists, as well as some special people like Sam 'Shake' Anderson. We are also partnering with RYE and their Back Porch series so that music will be at both ends of the festival timed and spaced so you can listen to it all! Here is the full music line-up:
Main Stage
2:00 - 2:45 pm Michael Whitis
3:15 - 4:00 pm Heidi Howe
4:30 - 5:00 pm Roy Ruiz Clayton
5:30 - 6:15 pm Leigh Ann Yost
6:45 - 7:45 pm Shake Anderson & The Louisville All-Stars
8:15 - 9:15 pm Brenda
9:45 - 10:45 pm James Lindsey (fka Jalin Roze)
Rye Back Porch Sessions Stage
5:00 -5:30 pm JR.
6:00 -6:30 pm Cousins
7:00 -7:30 pm Kogan Dumb
8:00 -9:00 pm Beacons
9:30 -11:00 pm The Hood Internet
Where can people find out more about the festival?
Best place is nulufest.com or through our Facebook page.
