Junk/Food Festivals

We headed back to a slightly less crowded riverside this Saturday. The biannual Fleur de Flea Market had set up shop in the same area as the Flugtag last weekend, with vendors selling handmade goods as well as repurposed junk and thrift store treasures. And further west into the downtown area, World Fest was throbbing with music, food and costumes from all over.

First thing we had to do was grab (non-breakfast eater) Isaac an appetizer, a yummy smelling pork taco.

Next up was browsing the stalls of furniture, clothes and knick-knacks, stopping for the occasional free sample.

Many cities have at least one interstate running through it, or flanking its perimeter. Oftentimes this seems to result in a litter-filled concrete mess close by the busy freeway. In Louisville, highway 64 runs east to west just beside the Ohio River. Yet instead of being an eyesore, it is incorporated into the waterside parks. Highway 64 provides a glorious shady shelter for the parked cars and pedestrians beneath, and it's here that many vendors set up for events like this week's Fleur de Flea.

Here's the view from underneath 64, picnic tables and food trucks set up in the cool shade. Relaxing under an interstate bridge and eating tacos may not sound like a nice thing at first, but it doesn't look too bad, does it?

Here's a quick shot of some flea market vendors. It's much more enjoyable to browse through junk when you're not hot.

After a little while, we walked west towards the city along the river. It was just over half a mile between the two events. The riverside was so empty along the way, less grass and more concrete.

Some striking hotels along the way.

World fest was thumping music, spicy grilled air and tents of goods and foods.

We did a quick round just to scout out all of the food options, since that's the reason we came - lunch. We ended up going Greek, always a good choice.

Lamb gyro, and there's chicken under all of that tzaziki. Greek food seems perfect for outdoor events - very filling yet somehow doesn't seem to weigh you down.

There was also an event for the hard of hearing just beside the World Fest, called the DeaFestival. The inflatable rainbow below marks the entrance to the convention center that held it. I have never been around so many non-speaking people before. Passing through this section, the volume seemed turned down, and many people stood around talking - only with their hands rather than their mouths.

With full bellies, we weren't keen to hang around much longer. We enjoyed our walk back through the city, rather than by the river, passed through the flea market once more and then returned to our car.

Some picturesque buildings and the Yum! Center where the UofL basketball team plays.

Other than this outing, we spent most of the long Labor Day weekend relaxing. Except for a bout of SUV shopping at dealerships. Not so relaxing. We learned a lot, but I think I've still got a lot more to learn before being well-informed enough to choose a family vehicle for us. I somehow failed to take pictures of the two of us again, but I will try to be better next week.