Kentucky florists don't need a race horse to provide speedy flower delivery.
Although not officially incorporated as a city until 1828, Louisville, Kentucky was actually founded and named after France’s King Louis XVI in 1778.
The 1st Louisville Slugger baseball bat was made way back in 1884 by Andrew Hillerich in his father's woodworking shop and began selling under the brand name Louisville Slugger almost ten years later in 1893. Louisville is also in the map as the leading manufacturer of bourbon. In fact, 1/3 of all bourbon comes from Louisville. On a wackier note, the city is also home to National Products who are responsible for the manufacture of 90% of the world’s disco balls and is the birthplace of the famous birthday anthem, "Happy Birthday to You". The song was written by two Louisville teachers for their kindergarten class and was originally sung as "Good-Morning to You".
Louisville is likely best known as home to the Kentucky Derby. This is the first race of the Triple Crown and has been called the "most exciting two minutes in sports". The first derby was held in 1875 and drew 10,000 spectators. It is estimated that over 150,000 people now watch the sports spectacular.
There are more than 70 events in total that make up the Kentucky Derby Festival in the two weeks leading up to race day making Louisville a tourist mecca in early spring. Restaurants, hotels, and local shops all experience a boost in profits at this time of year as do Louisville florists. Louisville flower designers and event planners report that the derby is one of their busiest times as there are several breakfasts, lunches, brunches and dinners for the racing elite that come to town. Louisville flower shops hope to benefit from a mutual relationship with local Louisville flower designers to cater to these events however the competition is often steep. Louisville flower wholesalers tend to offer better pricing so most of the event planners choose to order through this channel instead. Some of the better connected Louisville florists are hired for these events directly though so they are not completely cut off from the extra money to be made while the derby is on. Several Louisville flower shops report that the amount of business they do with local residents picks up as many people host their own Kentucky Derby themed parties complete with mint juleps and horseshoe shaped wreaths designed by Louisville florists.
The derby plays such a defining role within city that even the Louisville flower clock at the state capital is decorated to signal the arrival of the derby. The Louisville flower clock is one of six operational flower clocks in the world and when the derby comes to town, the rail is adorned with Louisville flowers in the shape of a horse and jockey. The Kentucky Derby is indeed a world class event that has successfully put Louisville on the map and it continues to help grow the local economy with each passing year.
Louisville Must See Attractions
- Louisville Slugger Museum
- Louisville Science Center - home to a $7.6mil human body exhibit
- Jefferson Memorial Forest - largest urban forest in the U.S.
- Churchill Downs - site of the Kentucky Derby
- Louisville Extreme Park - one of the best skateparks in the country
- Lake Manawa and Carter Lake
Have a favorite florist in Fairdale? Often florists in Jeffersontown or Middletown flower shops are willing to deliver flowers to Louisville.
If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn.
- Andrew Mason