LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual Fest-a-Ville is in full swing, with local businesses selling food and drinks at the Chow Wagon. This is one of several events put on by the KDF leading up to the derby.

What You Need To Know

  • Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville and Chow Wagon began will continue until Friday, May 2

  • Several food vendors set up at the Chow Wagon

  • With Thunder Over Louisville getting canceled, businesses have been looking forward to the more than week-long event

Local restaurant Eden & Kissi’s food trailer drew attention from people during day three of the Fest-a-Ville.

“We’re just thankful to be here and share our food with the people,” said the restaurant’s co-owner, David Gnamba. “It’s just love served on a plate.”

An assortment of food is being sold from the trailer that includes wraps, chicken plates, some veggie options and several sides.

This is the first year Eden & Kissi has set up at the Chow Wagon. Gnamba is grateful to be at the event considering that the business had plans to serve food during Thunder Over Louisville, which ended up getting canceled because of flooding.

“That broke our heart,” Gnamba said. “That broke our hearts, but we got to take the good with the bad, so we’re here now, and that’s another opportunity to be able to do great, so we’re just gonna go right ahead and take it head on.”

Another local business, Coco Bongos, has been participating in KDF events for about 20 years. The business makes alcoholic beverages like Piña Coladas and lemon daiquiris. The affect of not having Thunder Over Louisville was felt, but they will be at the Chow Wagon all week.

“The biggest day of the year for us is Thunder Over Louisville, which kind of was rough with them canceling it, but you get your good and your bad with the weather, but down here at Chow Wagon, it is one of our bigger events,” said Noah Coy, a co-owner of the Louisville-based Coco Bongos.

Coy hopes that one day screens can be displayed at the Fest-a-Ville so that people can watch races while attending the event to potentially increase foot traffic. He believes it would draw in more locals.

Eden & Kissi will sell food throughout the event’s entirety. This is one way the small, family-owned business feels supported by the community.

“Things like this really help, and it helps also to share the products and get noticed in the Louisville area as well,” Gnamba said.

The Fest-a-Ville and Chow Wagon will be at Waterfront Park until May 2. There will be several other KDF events leading up to the big day.

To stay informed about everything related to the Derby Festival and both races, check out Spectrum News 1’s special section.

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