LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the first time ever, Light up Louisville will take place during the annual Bardstown Road Aglow. It attracts thousands each year, and organizers aren't concerned about numbers.
They just hope Louisvillians take part in the holiday fun.
Bardstown Road Aglow is now in it's 38th year. Leaders with the Highland Commerce Guild said there is no concern competing with Light up Louisville because of the nearly four decades of support it has.
"There can be folks that can stop in the Highlands on their way down to the downtown lighting, or as they're coming home, they can stop in the Highlands, so they're very close together," Nick Morris, vice president at Highland Commerce Guild, said.
It will be a holiday-filled day and night with live music, trolley rides and tree lightings.
Light up Louisville has 43 years worth of tradition but this year, there's a new twist: the ACC championship football game with the University of Louisville starts at 8 p.m.
Bardstown Road Aglow organizers hope special discounts on food and merchandise boost holiday sales in the Highlands.
"There's a lot of retail shopping, many of the retailers are offering special gifts and incentives to come in," Morris said.
One of those retailers is Surprise Lily; this will be the first time the boutique is participating in Bardstown Road Aglow.
"If you spend $50 or more with us we have an adorable pair of little Santa socks that we're giving you," owner Stephanie Reilly said.
Reilly opened the local business two months ago selling everything from tops, accessories and locally made candles.
"I'm just eager to meet new neighbors, new folks along the corridor and hopefully they come and shop with us," she said.
The Downtown Louisville Partnership is also hosting it's first ever holiday market with 40 vendors at Light Up Louisville.
"We actually did this in conjunction with the city for Light Up Louisville so that we could take advantage of the crowds and give folks something to do that's a little different," Rebecca Fleischaker, the executive director at Louisville Downtown Partnership, said.
For Light up Louisville, there will be heightened security downtown.
"You got safety in numbers if you're worried about coming downtown for the first time in a long time, you're going to be surrounded by so many other families, it's a very kid-friendly event," Fleischaker said.
At the end of the day, they're motivating folks to get into the holiday spirit.
The Holiday Market will be open Saturday at 4th and Jefferson Streets starting at 2 p.m. That's a couple hours before Light up Louisville which begins at 4 p.m., and Bardstown Road Aglow starts at noon.
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