Cheer up the goat and rinse out the beer mug. To celebrate the first weekend of spring, goat races and craft beer return in droves to East Market Street during the annual Nulbockfest and Wurstfest.
The popular annual festival, hosted by the NuLu Business Association, will be held on Saturday, March 23rd from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the 600-800 block of East Market Street. Featuring multiple bock beers from local craft breweries, a sausage cooking contest, live music from local musicians, goat races, and more.
The tradition of goat lace dates back to the mid-19th century, when dark German lagers known as bock were released after winter aging to mark the change of season. NuLu is home to Nanny Goat Strut Alley and Billy Goat Strut Alley, which are great places for goat racing and beer sampling.
This year's event will feature a total of eight goat races, starting with a goat blessing and bock beer at noon and ending at 6 p.m.
In addition to goat races and beer, come to this festival with your fill of bratwurst. The annual Wurst Fest features local restaurants showcasing their twists on traditional German dishes for a chance to win the Best of the Wurst Fest.
Family-friendly activities include a tipping tractor, Bessie the milking cow, a Discovery trailer, a bubble truck and a petting zoo.
Here are three more Bock Fest pre-parties to get you in the spring spirit.
- Saturday, March 2, 4-6 p.m.—Try bock beer, Taj cocktails, and mingle with baby goats at Taj Bar, 807 E. Market St. He must be over 21 years old to participate.
- Saturday, March 9th, 3:00pm to 6:00pm — Come see the goats on floats in the St. Patrick's Day Parade presented by the Louisville Downtown Partnership. The 2024 Bock Fest Koozies will be given away for free during the parade.
- Saturday, March 16th, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Goat Yoga at Taj Bar/Wicks Pizza Patio from 10:30 a.m. After yoga, goat race contestants at Bockfest Paddock Party at Garage Bar, 700 E. spend time with us.Market Street, 2pm to 5pm
