Downtown Louisville will host the Pickleball Street Fest on Saturday, July 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will turn E. Main Street, between S. Jackson and S. Hancock streets, into a large outdoor pickleball space with games, food, drinks, and music.
A Street Full of Pickleball Fun
The festival will feature 12 outdoor courts for both competitive and casual play. The event includes open play, celebrity matches, and a multi-ranking round-robin tournament. Players of all levels can join, with medals given to the top three teams in each group.
Goodbounce Pickleball Yard is hosting the tournament. Players can register online, and the entry fee ranges from $10.00 to $35.00 per person. Each player will receive a branded pickleball hand towel for participating.
Music, Food, and Local Drinks
Along with the games, visitors can enjoy food trucks, live entertainment from DJ Ace, and drinks. There will be a pop-up bar offering local craft beer, including Downtown’s Beer from Ten20 Craft Brewery. A special Angel’s Envy bar will serve Peach Smash cocktails inside the distillery from noon to 4 p.m.
Bringing the Community Together
Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP), said,
“The Pickleball Street Fest builds on LDP’s commitment to activating public spaces through creative programming. By transforming our streets into active recreational spaces, we’re showcasing Downtown Louisville as a place where community, competition and celebration come together in the heart of our city.”-(Rebecca Fleischaker)
John Flodder, CEO and founder of Goodbounce Pickleball Yard, added,
“At Goodbounce, we believe pickleball brings people together like nothing else–it’s fun, it’s active and it’s for everyone. We’re all about building community through play, and there’s no better place to do that than right in the heart of downtown Louisville.”-(John Flodder)
Gigi DaDan, general manager of Angel’s Envy, said,
“As one of the first distilleries in downtown Louisville, we’re excited to be partnering with LDP and Goodbounce on this community-focused event. This moment celebrates the launch of our new Daycap campaign—a moment when you want a drink to cap off an achievement, like winning a game of pickleball. This event serves up the perfect opportunity to engage with new and existing bourbon fans while tapping into a larger cultural moment happening right in our backyard.”-(Gigi DaDan)
More Ways to Play in the City
The LDP also manages Baird Urban Sports Park at 615 W. Main Street. This park has two pickleball courts and a wiffle ball field. It is open for public play Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Why It Matters
The Pickleball Street Fest supports fun, fitness, and togetherness. By using city streets for play, the event turns downtown into a lively space for all ages. It helps bring attention to local businesses and parks, while growing interest in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
News in Brief: Pickleball Street Fest
The Pickleball Street Fest on July 12 will take over E. Main Street in Louisville. With 12 courts, live music, drinks, food, and competitive matches, the event aims to grow the sport and bring people together. The community celebration runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. downtown.
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