The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is a beloved Louisville tradition dating back to 1972. The Fair is held at Willow Park and features over 200 local artists, food, drinks and live music.
The two-day event offers a variety of activities suitable for each age group. Younger kids have the opportunity to visit the art tent run by the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Craft, where they offer a series of art activities, including making derby hats in celebration of the upcoming Louisville event. Many adults use this fair to browse and purchase pieces from Louisville artists. The food booths offer a wide variety of choices, from popcorn and pretzels to brats and hot dogs. At the beer tent, adults are encouraged to try some of the local alcoholic beverages.
Willow Park is centered around a gazebo, which hosts the several bands that perform during the day and throughout the evening for Fair attendees. Notable bands include Nervous Melvin and Amber Martin. The live music creates a lively and welcoming atmosphere to both new and returning Fair-goers.
This year marked the 53rd anniversary of the fair, one of the most successful yet. The cooler temperatures mixed with sunshine on both Saturday and Sunday made the park crowded with shoppers. In the past, one or more days of the fair have been rainy or cloudy, but this year the community was greeted by sunshine and beautiful weather. This year’s Fair had one of the highest attendance rates since before COVID-19, marking a comeback for the community following 2020 and 2021’s Fair cancellation.
A quick walk-through or hours of gazing at the artist’s tents are perfect ways to spend the weekend before Derby. The Cherokee Art Fair fills their event with 200 local artists from Louisville or surrounding areas. Proceeds from food/drink purchases are put towards summer concerts at Willow Park and LFPL’s Highlands/Shelby Branch. The welcoming atmosphere, creative creations and the friendly service make it one of the best traditions leading up to Derby.
