Abbey Road on the River, Kentucky Reggae Festival highlight Louisville's May festivals

Louisville's best-known festival, the Kentucky Derby Festival [3], is nothing more than memories, trampled grass and shrunken livers. But it's just one of Louisville's many festivals in May. Mike Linnig's [4] MusicFest 2009 May 7-31 Mike Linnig's Restaurant Held throughout May in an entertainment tent across the street from the restaurant, this festival [5] offers four weekends of music, trivia, impersonations and games. It's not my scene, but it might be yours (and I'm not judging). (Via Leo Weekly [6]) Forest Fest May 16 Jefferson Memorial Forest Bluegrass from international stars, local favorites and emerging acts highlight this one-day festival [7], which also features crafts. (Crafts? At a bluegrass festival? What will they think of next.) The concert is free, although parking isn't ($5). Kentucky Women's Book Festival May 16 University of Louisville [8]'s Ekstrom Library National Poetry Month came and went and you never did anything to commemorate it, did you? Alleviate your guilt by attending the Kentucky Women's Book Festival [9]. Former Kentucky Poet Laureate Sena Jeter Naslund is the keynote speaker. (Via Leo Weekly [6]) Abbey Road on the River May 21-25 Belvedere Festival Park Louisville hosts "the world's largest Beatles-inspired music festival [10]" again this year -- quite an accomplishment for just the world's 168th largest city. A slew of acts will perform on five stages. And for those of you refined enough to realize that while the Beatles are good, The Who is much better, the festival will feature two performances of Tommy in honor of the rock opera's 40th anniversary. Tickets range from $10 to $180. (And the Walrus is your mom.) Kentucky Reggae Festival May 23-24 The Water Tower Music, food, and a market bring the Caribbean to Louisville on Memorial Day. Admission is $6 before 6 p.m. and $9 afterward. Parking, however, is free. Ten acts are scheduled for the two-day event [11] (don't select the link though unless you're ready for some music, 'cause the website is "Jamming till the jam is through"). (Photo: Flickr/Pete [12])