Ahoy! All music lovers, art lovers, and activists. This weekend, the maritime-themed Forecastle Festival of Music, 
Art, Activism® will bring 70 local and national bands, plus artists, and groups that promote environmentalism and healthy outdoor living to Waterfront Park along with tens of thousands of fans from around the world.
Held from Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15, Forecastle promises non-stop music and plenty to do before, during, and after the festival. As the promoters note on the website, Louisville is located "within a day’s drive of half the U.S. population," so many visitors will be first-time tourists in the city. COS (Consequences of Sound), a website that lists and reviews musical events throughout the country offers a Beginner's Guide to help first timers find the best places to eat, drink, and visit in Louisville.
Forecastle is definitely worth the drive. Starting in 2002 as a local effort that cost just $500 to produce and featured local bands who contributed their time, the event is regarded as one of the top 15 festivals in the country. The next year, artists and environmentalist groups were invited to join the festival , which by 2005 was trademarked as Music, Art, Activism®. Now co-produced with AC Entertainment, the 2012 will feature bands such as Girl Talk, My Morning Talk, Bassnector, and more, plus art from Andrew Bird and artists from the American Poster Institute, and booths and activities presented by environmental non-profit or outdoor recreational groups For an interesting video on Forecastle, click here.
In keeping with its environmentalist routes, Forecastle Festival became a member of 1% for the Planet, an organizations with a mission to "Keep the Earth in business." Along with 1469 other companies, Forecastle pledges to donate 1% of its sales to 2,977 environmental organizations world-wide.
This year, the festival has water stations available to keep visitors hydrated. You can bring in your own refillable bottles or buy bottles from festival partner Camelbak. Though the weather for this weekend promises to be in the 80's, dancing and jamming can make you much hotter, so make sure to stake out the water locations.
If you want to sample some Kentucky bourbon with your water, you can visit the Kentucky Bourbon Lodge for samples and a history lesson about this great local industry. Several local distilleries have teamed up to show visitors the best of Bourbon Country.
There is so much to do and see at Forecastle that you might want to check out the Forecastle website for the best overview and use the "ultimate checklist" to plan your schedule and learn the rules. You can keep up with festival happenings if you follow Forecastle on Facebook or Twitter for the latest news and updates on performers and events. You can even spread the word by tweeting to http://twitter.com/forecastle or posting updates as you enjoy the festival.
Come to Forecastle and help Louisville once again make history by making the festival the biggest and best ever! If you are new to Louisville and want community events like Forecastle to always be within reach, call me, Jessica Gaines, of Louisville Gaines Real Estate if you're looking to buy or sell a home in the area.
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