Observations
The Big-Event Book of Manners
The Louder Than Life Sunday crowd. Photo by Nathan Zucker, courtesy of Danny Wimmer Presents.
Sept. 24, 2026
We’re in big-crowds season.
Last weekend alone, our city hosted Louder Than Life, NuLu Fest, racing at Churchill Downs, U of L vs. SMU college football. Today through Sunday is Bourbon & Beyond, St. X vs. Trinity high school football is tomorrow at the Cards’ stadium, the St. James Court Art Show will be the first weekend in October…
Each week, we ask a growing group of us in town questions about what’s best (and what might be a bit better) in our city, and we recently wondered about big events in town. Folks often use words like hospitality and welcoming and friendly to describe Louisville, so I figured we’d rate pretty high on the scale when we asked us:
On a scale of zero (on the low end) to 10 (on the high end), how well-behaved are our crowds at big events these days?
Our average?
6.2 out of 10.
So, room for improvement.
Glad that we also asked for guidelines to add to the Louisville Big-Event Book of Manners. (And we’d love to know what you’d add. Send me a quick note: josh@louisville.com)
Our first draft…
Before you go, flip through the rules.
Tap any card to see what our group thinks belongs in the Big-Event Book of Manners.
Before You Leave the House
Before You Leave the House
“Wear deodorant. Wear more deodorant. For the love of God, deodorant.”
“Leave your gun at home.”
“Babies hate being there. Get a sitter.”
Parking
Parking
“Parking lots are for cars not fights.”
“Stay within the lines so you only take up ONE parking spot.”
Waiting in Line
Waiting in Line
“No cutsies.”
“Don’t ask a friend to let you in a line in front of the 25 people behind them.”
“Ask if you’re at the end of the line.”
Walking
Walking
“DO NOT JUST STOP in the middle of a walkway.”
“Look in the direction you are walking, not at your phone.”
“Some people simply can’t move as quickly as you. Be patient.”
“Saying ‘excuse me’ doesn’t actually excuse your pushing through a crowd.”
Clothes
Clothes
“Keep ’em on.”
Shared Space
Shared Space
“Watch your language around families.”
“Walk away from the crowd if you and your pals really just want to talk and hang out.”
“Arrive early if you want to have a special space, rather than barreling through lots of people who’ve already claimed their space.”
“An accidental bump is an innocent mistake.”
“Take your cowboy hat off so others behind you can see.”
“It’s OK to strike up a conversation as you wait for things. Chance encounters with strangers can build a stronger and kinder community.”
Standing vs. Sitting
Standing vs. Sitting
“In row-style seating, when someone is trying to get by to their seat, STAND UP.”
“If you are in the front row of a venue with seats, sit sometimes and create a rest for everyone behind you. Because when you sit, then the people behind you can sit, and the people behind them can, and so on. It’s a gift.”
“Sitting down during slow songs is a good rule.”
Singing
Singing
“Singing along is fun, but keep in mind we came to see the person or group onstage. Read the room.”
Dancing
Dancing
“Have dance space with-it-ness, as in don’t bang into others — unless you’re all in the mosh pit on purpose.”
Drinking
Drinking
“Don’t get sloshed.”
“Tip your damn bartender.”
Bathrooms
Bathrooms
“Leave the accessible bathrooms for people who might need them.”
Phones
Phones
“One short video, a picture or two — that’s really all you need.”
And I thought one of us in the group summed it all up really well: “Awareness, restraint, grace. Everyone is here together, so help make the space good for everyone.”
If someone you know is the kind of person who’s interested in exploring what’s best and what might be a bit better about Louisville, I’d love it if you’d nominate them to join the weekly conversation. My email one more time: josh@louisville.com