From the moment of the “gates are open” call until the last note of Luke Bryan’s set was sang — Hometown Rising was magical. The inaugural festival, which by all accounts is the first of its kind, sold out and the bourbon was flowing. There was a buzz of excitement as summer came to a close to the soundtrack of Dwight Yoakam, Keith Urban and Tim McGraw.
It was a scorcher at nearly a hundred degrees but the fun didn’t slow even a tad. The centerpiece beyond the side-by-side main stages was the Big Bourbon Bar. Here is where you could stop for a drink or learn how to line dance with some of the best instructors in the business. The dance floor was packed every time we walked through despite the heat. This was the first country music festival for Los Angeles-based Danny Wimmer Presents, the producer of many well known rock festivals; however, they brought Louisville to life at the Highland Fairgrounds. The food, bourbon, music — it all culminated into an experience we soon won’t forget.
Photos by: Kaylee Steffel
