The Annual Gaslight Festival returns to Jeffersontown this month with a mix of old and new events celebrating the area, its businesses and the people who helped build it for more than half a century.
This year’s Gaslight Festival, hosted by the Jeffersontown Chamber and sponsored for the first time by Kroger, will return for its 53rd year with “long-standing” events and traditions such as the Gaslight Festival 5K Walk/Run, the Gaslight Festival Parade and the Gaslight. Balloon glow. All events will take place in Jeffersontown, a state class city in eastern Jefferson County.
“The Jeffersontown Chamber is honored to produce the Gaslight Festival each year,” said DeanaKarem, Jeffersontown Chamber President and CEO. “A central part of this tradition is to showcase all the assets, services and attractions our city has to offer.”
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Here’s a look at what you need to know about the Gaslight Festival, which kicks off on Sunday:
What are the events organized at the Gaslight Festival?
Those responsible for the Gaslight Festival have published a complete list Events happens this year at the meeting. The action really starts on Friday, heading into the final weekend.
Sunday, September 11: Thunder Rally, a support effort for veterans and families of USA Cares, an organization founded in Kentucky to provide financial assistance to service members in need. This year, the demonstration will also pay tribute to the fallen heroes of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.Monday, September 12: Gaslight Golf Scramble, hosted to enable connection with top business and community leaders while playing 18 holes of golf.Tuesday, September 13: 5K Run/Walk, open to all ages and fitness levels.Wednesday September 14: City of Jeffersontown Business Appreciation Luncheon featuring food and live entertainment provided to all local Jeffersontown businesses and employees from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Skyview Park.Thursday, September 15: Gaslight Festival Parade, which will bring out floats and other celebrants at 6 p.mFriday, September 16: Gaslight Balloon Glow, with food trucks and activities for kids starting at 6pm at Skyview Park.Saturday, September 17: Live entertainment with JD Shelburne, along with craft vendors in Gaslight Square.Sunday, September 18: Gaslight Car Show and Kentucky Pipe Smoking Championship, the oldest tradition of the Gaslight Festival. The car show takes place in the 10000 block of Taylorsville Road between 1 and 4 p.m.
Jeffersontown Mayor Bill Dieruf said the festival is “a time to celebrate history, tradition, family and what the future holds for our wonderful Jeffersontown community.”
Gaslight Festival street closures
On Tuesday, the Gaslight Festival will host its annual Gaslight 5K Run/Walk. During this time, Watterson Trail in front of City Hall will be closed from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
According to a statement from Jeffersontown police, Watterson Trail from Taylorsville Road to Dell Road and the Charlane Heights area will have periodic interruptions to allow runners and walkers to complete the route. Traffic on Taylorsville Road should not be affected during the event.
On Thursday, Taylorsville Road from Janlyn Road to Merioneth Road will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. to allow parade units to form in front of the mall for the Gaslight Festival Parade.
At 5:45 p.m., the following closures will be in effect to allow for the parade: Taylorsville Road from Janlyn Road to Watterson Trail, Watterson Trail from Taylorsville Road to College Drive, and College Drive from Watterson Trail to Taylorsville Road. These roads will reopen around 9:00 p.m., although Watterson Trail from Taylorsville Road to College Drive will remain closed until approximately 10:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, Friday through Sunday, Taylorsville Road will be closed from Ruckriegel Parkway to Jefferson Street and Watterson Trail will be closed from Old Taylorville Road to Billtown Road. Those roads are expected to close at 4pm on Friday and reopen after 8pm on Sunday, according to local police.
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Bring cash, but admission to the Gaslight Festival is free
The festival is free for everyone. According to Jeffersontown Chamber spokeswoman Deana Karem, you don’t need to get a ticket to enter.
There is no designated parking for the event. Festival organizers encourage attendees to use the public parking spaces in the area.
Admission to the festival is free, but Karem noted that two areas will be set up for children to go on rides or play on bounce houses. The bounce area, filled with inflatable structures for kids to jump on, is “$10 all you can bounce,” Karem said.
All-day passes for children’s festival rides are also available for $15.
Can I bring my pet to the Gaslight Festival?
Festival-goers will not be allowed to bring their pets to the event, according to the website.
“While we love our furry companions,” said a statement from the festival, “please leave them at home.”
The Gaslight Festival began as a small street party in 1969, according to their websiteand has grown to attract about 200,000 annual visitors to Jeffersontown.
Contact Caleb Stultz at cstultz@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Caleb_Stultz.
