NuLu Bock Fest Set for March 23
Cut the goats loose. Courtesy Nulu Bock Fest
Unleash the goats. NuLu Bock Fest, NuLu Business Association's annual spring bock beer celebration, returns Saturday, March 23.
The Bock beer tradition in Louisville traces back to the mid-19th century to mark the changing of the season when the dark German lager, known as bock, was released across the city after a winter of aging. NuLu is home to two coincidentally named alleys: Nanny Goat Strut and Billy Goat Strut, thus making it a fitting place for a bock beer festival featuring adult and baby goat racing, a wurst competition, music performances, and several local vendors and food trucks.
Local breweries will serve their 2024 bock beers, along with other selections. For non-beer drinkers, craft cocktails and mixed drinks will also be available for purchase. Bulleit Bourbon returns with specialty craft cocktails and mixed drinks for sale as well as the Patron Tequila Shack featuring freshly made margaritas courtesy of Crowler Catering.
The goats participating in the Jefferson County Farm Bureau Goat Races are from Sunny Acres Farm. The Louisville Aggies, a local 4H group, will run alongside the goats helping them to the finish line. Grandstands will be placed on either side of the track for better audience viewing. New this year, WAVE3 will live-stream the races on wave3.com, which will be broadcasted at NuLu neighborhood bars and restaurants.
A total of eight races will take place beginning with the Blessing of the Goats and Bock Beer at 12:00 pm and ending at 6:00 pm. The featured race will be the Forecast Dash Baby Goat Race at 3:30 pm where Louisville’s meteorologists battle it out for a $500 prize made to the winning forecaster’s charity of choice.
The Annual Wurst Fest will welcome local restaurants to showcase their spin on this traditional dish for the chance to be crowned the Best of the Wurst Fest Winner.
Those interested in sponsoring a goat can click here to get more information and to complete the sponsorship form. Vendors, service providers, and non-profit organizations can sign up to participate in NuLu Bock Fest as a vendor by emailing Lydia Babin with HB Productions at lydia@hbproductionsllc.com.
There will also be family-friendly activities including the Tipping Tractor, Bessie the Milking Cow, the Discovery Trailer, a Bubble Truck, a petting zoo, and more. The festival lasts from noon to 6 pm.
Bock Fest Pre-Parties:
Saturday, February 2, 6 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Kick off Bock Fest season at Red Tree with baby goat photo ops and specialty cocktails for sale.
Saturday, February 23, 5 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Embrace the winter at Copper & Kings' "Coats and Goats" under the Barn in the Courtyard. Join us for a night of lively festivities as you pet and play with goats from Sunny Acres farm. This event is open to all, and attendees will be able to enjoy complimentary snacks, exclusive swag, a BYO cocktail station, local vendors, and a live performance by Drew Crawley and friends.
Saturday, March 2, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Try a bock beer or a Taj cocktail and hang out with baby goats at Taj Bar. This event is 21+ only.
Saturday, March 9, 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
See goats on a float at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with the Louisville Downtown Partnership. Free 2024 Bock Fest koozies will be passed out throughout the parade.
Saturday, March 16, 10:30am-5:00pm
Join Goat Yoga at Taj Bar/ Wick's Pizza patio at 10:30am and then wander down to the Bock Fest Paddock Party at Garage Bar starting at 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Attendees will be able to meet the race contenders and enjoy a wonderful day in NuLu.
For more information about NuLu Bock Fest, visit nulu.org/BockFest and follow on Instagram at instagram.com/nuluofficial and on Facebook at facebook.com/nuluofficial.
