Before Thunder Over Louisville began, the Phoenix Hill Tavern Art Show titled, “Spring Phling” drew large pre-Derby crowds to the downtown area.
Cortland Rose managed the Tavern and welcomed artists and craftsmen to the Tavern’s parking lot for the annual Show.
I looked forward to the event not only to do art business before the big Kentucky Derby weekend but because the Tavern rolled back its rooftop and released red balloons while playing “99 Red Balloons” as a spectacular touch for the occasion. Some songs just make you glad to be alive and seeing those red balloons fly skyward during that song made my heart thankful to be in that parking lot looking up at the rooftop and listening to its red magic song.
After a few years, environmentalists put an end to the balloon release and Thunder drew away show goers but for a while, we enjoyed the “Spring Phling”.
Since the parking lot had to be cleared for evening customers, Cortland sent over one of his employees to help me finish loading my van. The young man learned a quick lesson in standing back and letting the artist direct the dismantling of pegboards.
When my back was turned, he cut the electric ties that held my boards together. What he didn’t realize there is a certain order to dismantle a setup and because he violated that procedure, a board fell on him, injuring his arm.
After he went inside the Tavern for bandaging, his replacement made sure to secure my approval before moving the rest of my setup.