Gallopalooza

Brightly decorated life-size fiberglass horses will begin appearing throughout our community in mid-April. These Gallopalooza horses and entrepreneurs have a lot in common. They both start with wanting to create something from a blank canvas, nurturing it as it develops and then basking in the joy and excitement of seeing it through to fruition. They both need passion, creativity, energy and hard work to make them successful. And, they involve risks, failures and the support of friends and family.

I feel so blessed to have been involved in both Gallopalooza projects in Louisville (the first in 2004). The thrill of taking an idea that businessman John Conti introduced to our community and giving it legs was a great honor and helped me launch my own event planning and fundraising business.

Gallopalooza, like so many other wonderful community events for which our city has become known, requires strong leadership, committed volunteers and generous supporters. This go-around, we were fortunate to engage Matt and Fran Thornton as our co-chairs. They helped bring together an energetic board of directors and recruited numerous sponsors and in-kind donors. Thorntons Inc. became our presenting sponsor.

Fortunately, Gallopalooza also had a strong following of fans and artists from our first project who were eager to get involved again and help us grow the idea to feature five new statues and include additional events, contests and other public-involvement opportunities.

I think all of this positive energy for the project comes from the fact that this is such an uplifting endeavor. The horses simply make people smile. They make folks, both young and old, forget about what’s going on in the world and provide them with an element of surprise when they pass by an unexpected colorful colt on the curb. The horses encourage local tourism and discovery, as well as attract out-of-town visitors. They promote the local businesses and non-profits who sponsored them and provide the artists who created them some well-deserved recognition for their talents.

The horses also strengthen relationships as couples, families, neighbors and friends spend countless hours and weekends together searching for the horses so they can get pictures for their scrapbooks. Wonderful memories are developed during these outings.

Best of all, the proceeds from the project go to support additional community beautification efforts in partnership with Brightside, the city’s “clean and green” organization. This year, the money raised will develop landscaped “gateways” into and around our community. These new green spaces enhance other economic development efforts by attracting (and impressing) future businesses, residents and tourists.

So, while you take some time to enjoy Gallopalooza this spring and summer, remember that these horses share many of the same attributes successful business people have – a sense of humor, a strong back (please don’t climb on them, though) and a meaningful purpose. And after you’ve checked out all 132 of them, be sure to let me know which one is your favorite – I’m having a hard time choosing!

Lynn Huffman, executive director of Gallopalooza, spent more than 11 years at Greater Louisville Inc., working with small business leaders before beginning her own business, All Lynn the Detail in 2002. For more information about Gallopalooza, visit www.gallopalooza.com.