LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the last 69 years, the Juice Bowl has been a Thanksgiving staple in the Shawnee neighborhood.
This year, for the first time, organizers kicked it off with a parade while also sticking to tradition.
Dozens woke up on Thursday morning with a pep in their step, eager to head to West Broadway. The annual Juice Bowl has been held in Shawnee Park since the very beginning. Each time, drawing in people of all ages including Rick Taylor, who carried on his mother's legacy.
"She would always talk about being the first Juice Bowl queen, and I received a phone call from Mr. Theo asking if I could represent being the grand marshal for my mom and I totally said yes. I didn't mind doing that whatsoever," Taylor said.
Like many others, attending the Juice Bowl is a tradition in Taylor's family.
District 5 Councilwoman Donna Purvis said the event was birthed in the 1950s.
"Every Thanksgiving they would get 'juiced up' and come down here and just play pick up football games," she said. "They didn't have on any uniforms or any special football gear. They was just out here having fun."
Since then, the games have become more competitive. Thursday, teams threw on their jerseys in hopes of winning a trophy. While football is the main attraction, Purvis said the Juice Bowl provides more than just entertainment.
It helps bring the community together and gives the next generation memories to hold onto.
"The community knows how important it is to continue to do this year, after year, after year," Purvis said. "This could never die."
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