On Sept. 4–14, the Jeffersontown Chamber, in partnership with the City of Jeffersontown, will host the annual Gaslight Festival. Held in Gaslight Square, it will be packed with activities, music, food and fun for all ages. What started out as a small community gathering in 1969 has steadily grown into a multi-day event that signals the end of summer and beginning of fall. Every year, thousands of attendees look forward to experiencing new offerings as well as being a part of or viewing longstanding favorites.
The Gaslight Festival is open to the community, but some events require fees and pre-registration. The schedule can be accessed on the Gaslight Festival’s official Facebook page, and links to register for events are at jtowngaslight.com. This year marks the debut of some new family-friendly experiences.
“When one Gaslight Festival ends, organizing for the next year starts almost right away,” says Deana Karem, President and CEO of the Jeffersontown Chamber. “We debrief in October and set the date for the next one in January. Based on feedback, we begin planning. This year we have 14 events in 10 days. Our oldest activity is the Gaslight Pipe Smoking Contest, held the final Sunday at Town Hall. It always returns. Every year we expand, grow and try new things.
“On Sunday, Sept. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m., there will be a family-friendly bowling event at Kingpin Lanes, 9525 Taylorsville Road. It’s something mom and dad can do with both older and younger kids and a fun way to kick off the week. Pre-registration is required and the $20 fee includes shoes, lane assignment, food and arcade cards.
“On Saturday, Sept. 13, kids will get an opportunity to climb into and on vehicles such as a race car during the Explore a Truck event,” Karen adds. “They can talk to the drivers. Also going on will be mascots, a petting zoo, face painting and a photo booth.”
Karem shares that the food court, introduced last year, will be coming back bigger and better. There will be more food, more seating and more shade thanks to tents. Popular festival fare from last year such as corn dogs, elephant ears, hamburgers, doughnuts, pork chops and ice cream will all be available in addition to some new items. This year, it will be located behind 3rd Turn Brewing and will include music.
The first weekend of the Gaslight Festival kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 4, with a blood drive held from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Jeffersonian, 10617 Taylorsville Road. Friday, Sept. 5 features the enchanting Balloon Glow, which includes music, food and children’s activities in Skyview Park from 6 to 9 p.m. The 5K walk/run, open to all ages and stroller-friendly, will be held Saturday, Sept. 6 at 9 a.m. A registration fee of $30 is required.
Events continue throughout Gaslight Festival Week. The Golf Scramble, a chance for community networking, requires pre-registration and will take place Monday, Sept. 8. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, the City of Jeffersontown provides lunch and live entertainment to local businesses and employees. On Thursday, Sept. 11, the Gaslight Festival Parade begins at 6 p.m. from the J-Town Shopping Center. All week, but especially on Shop, Eat JTown Tuesday, Sept. 9, 21 downtown businesses and eateries will offer specials and deals.
People from around the area make it a point to come into town during the festival to take advantage of one-of-a-kind items offered at affordable prices. Among the participants are 3rd Turn Brewing, which developed a unique recipe just for the festival, plus other exclusives every day of Gaslight Week. The Brass Social has a hamburger special, the Easy P’zee, comprised of two smash burgers with pimento cheese, peppers and sweet peach jam. Served with a side, the burger is only $15. J-Town Beach will be offering Salty Spike Margaritas for $5. Drake’s-Hurstbourne is giving away warm pretzels and cheese sauce with the purchase of an entrée. Clean Eatz will run a $5.55 special on regular smoothies. At Malibu Jack’s, an all-day Family Four Pass will be bargain priced at $19.99 and arcade cards will be available for $20.
“There will be live music all Gaslight Festival weekend,” Karen says. “The small stage is at City Hall, and the main stage is at Gaslight Pavilion. This year we have two popular local headliners. Juicebox Heroes will perform on Friday, Sept. 12, and Soul Circus will be featured on Saturday, Sept. 13. Pre-headliners include the Brass Pack and country artist Lalia Springs, who was a contestant on ‘American Idol.’”
Two other important happenings are featured during Gaslight Weekend. On Friday at 7 p.m., the Arts & Crafts Festival opens. This art showcase and vendor shopping opportunity continues through Saturday until 10 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Car Show sets up along Taylorsville Road from Beano’s to Papa John’s.
“Sunday the 14th is the last day of the festival, and we have a soft close at 5 p.m.,” Karen adds. “However, vendors don’t close until 6 p.m. Over a 10-day period, nearly 200,000 people will converge in J-Town to attend the various events.
“The Chamber has a staff of just five people. We can’t do it without the help of city police or public works. Every event has community sponsors. More than 2,000 human hours are put into the event by at least 200 volunteers. Volunteers do the heavy lifting. We can’t hold this event without the support of each other.”
For more information, event registration and schedule, visit the Gaslight Festival website at jtowngaslight.com. Follow Gaslight – Official on Facebook for updates.
The Jeffersontown Chamber is located at 10434 Watterson Trail in Jeffersontown, KY. Visit them online at jtownchamber.com or give them a call at 502-267-1674.
