Annual Community Events
With More to Come
Festival of the Dogwood (April)
Audubon Park has celebrated a Festival of the Dogwood during the third weekend of April since 1971 and this event is sponsored by the Audubon Park Garden Club. The City of Audubon Park has long been recognized for the beauty of its many dogwood trees, many of which were first planted during WWII in honor of family members serving in the Armed Forces. This tradition of planting dogwoods in area parks and yards has continued unabated since that early beginning. Mrs. Marjorie Davis, a long time resident of the Park, first proposed focusing spotlights on the dogwood trees in 1971 which became the basis for the weekend-long festival, although now residents are encouraged to spotlight all flowering shrubs and trees. A free concert is held at Audubon Park Baptist Church (Hess Lane) on Sunday afternoon as part of the Festival of the Dogwood, which is a family-oriented event playing patriotic and light classical music and show tunes. The Festival of the Dogwood is a highly popular event that draws hundreds of visitors from Louisville and surrounding areas to drive through our city to see the glorious spring display of flowering beauty.
Audubon Park Garden Tour (June)
The Audubon Park Garden Tour is an annual event, hosted since 2001, that features the hidden beauty of local gardens in our neighborhood. Proceeds from this annual event benefit Garden Club programs including community flower beds, tree planting, parks maintenance and city-wide events such as the Festival of the Dogwood and Community Christmas Celebration. The Garden Tour is typically scheduled from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the last Saturday in June. Tickets may be purchased the day of the tour at City Hall.
Independence Day Parade (July)
The City of Audubon Park hosts an Annual 4th of July Parade, first proposed by resident Patrick Kehoe. This event, held dependent on weather conditions, is usually marked with a parade led by a local fire truck and encourages area children and the “young at heart” to decorate their bikes, strollers, scooters , etc in patriotic finery for a route that winds through Audubon Park, culminating in refreshments and fellowship.
Community Christmas Celebration (December)
The Audubon Park Garden Club sponsors an annual holiday gathering the 2nd Sunday in December at City Hall, typically between 6 and 8 p.m. Refreshments are provided including hot beverages such as coffee and hot cider, holiday cookies and other delicious treats. This Christmas Open House is a wonderful opportunity to kickoff the holiday season and to promote fellowship and community spirit with neighbors and friends. The Garden Club also encourages the residents of Audubon Park to light up and decorate their doorways, homes and street lamp posts for the holiday season so that Audubon Park looks its best for the many visitors who enjoy driving through our historic neighborhood at this time of year.
