Hunter S. Thompson was the father of Gonzo journalism, a friend of actor Johnny Depp, and a Louisville native.

Since 2010, GonzoFest has been honoring the counter-culture writer’s legacy with a music and literary festival. Since the final episode is happening this weekend on Friday, July 14 + Saturday, July 15 at High Horse Bar, we thought we’d take a look back at a decade of Hunter S. Thompson.

October 16, 2010

The first iteration of GonzoFest took place at the former Monkey Wrench on Barret Avenue. Co-founded by the bar’s owner, Dennie Humphrey, the fest was born out of an idea for a statue of Thompson — more on that later.

Highlights:

Organizers unveiled a Hunter S. Thompson mural on the side of the building that’s still there today.

Special guests:

Anita Thompson, Hunter S. Thompson’s wife, read disciplinary reports from when he attended Male High School — including one from 1953, when he set off firecrackers in the school.

Dennie Humphrey (right) at the 2011 GonzoFest. | Photo via GonzoFest

2011-2013

The festival continued at the Monkey Wrench for the next three years.

Special guests:

Former Congressman John Yarmuth
WFPK’s Kyle Meredith
Anita Thompson

Headlining bands:

The Whigs
Scott Carney from Wax Fang
Nerves Junior

Ron Whitehead reading poetry at the 2013 GonzoFest. | Photo via GonzoFest

April 5, 2014

GonzoFest moved to springtime and expanded events to span across six days. The main event took place in the parking lot across from Slugger Stadium.

Highlights:

“Hunter’s Gonzoville” banner was unveiled
A puppet parade commenced
The Ralph Steadman documentary “For No Good Reason” premiered

Headlining bands:

A Lion Named Roar
Vessel
Jack Holiday and the Westerners

Former mayor Greg Fischer presented Ron and Dennie with Kentucky Colonel decrees at the 2015 festival.

April 11, 2015

For its 5th anniversary, the fest moved to the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park.

Highlights:

A campaign launched to raise funds for a bronze statue of Thompson
The GonzoFest documentary premiered
Members of the festival's team became Kentucky Colonels
5,000 people attended

Jecorey Arthur, now the Metro Distric 4 Councilperson, headlined the 2015 GonzoFest as 1200. | Photo via GonzoFest

Headlining bands:

1200, Councilmember Jecorey Author’s then-musical group
Twin Limb
Graffiti

The 2016 festival included 25+ vendor and art booths. | Photo via GonzoFest

April 16, 2016

GonzoFest continued at the Big Four Bridge location and added national bands, a circus sideshow, and more art contests. Gonzo Today also became fully involved in producing the fest.

Highlights:

Thompson’s son, Juan, did a reading and book signing for his memoir, “Stories I Tell Myself: Growing Up with Hunter S. Thompson.”
Proceeds went toward the production of the bronze Hunter S. Thompson statue.

Headlining bands:

Fly Golden Eagle
Natural Child, Dr. Dundiff, Wax Fang, Chrome Pony

Thompson's son, Juan, at the 2018 event. | Photo via GonzoFest

2017-2019

Organizers continued to shine a spotlight on the literary side of the event and move it to the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library where Thompson’s mother, Virginia, worked as a librarian.

For the next three years the fest expanded its panel discussions, poetry readings, and spoken word performances in addition to a music lineup.

Highlights:

Screening of the film “The Rise & Fall of the Brown Buffalo”

Special guests:

Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi
Biographer William McKeen

Headlining bands:

Nellie Pearl
Sativa Gumbo
Vice Tricks

2020-2022

GonzoFest went on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 14-July 15, 2023

The final event will take place in Butchertown at Dennie’s new establishment, High Horse Bar, for two days.

Highlights:

Screening of “Outlaw Poet: The Legend of Ron Whitehead”
“The Hell's Angels Letters” panel discussion

While GonzoFest is calling it quits, Hunter S. Thompson’s legacy lives on year-round throughout the city via murals and his childhood home, which is a registered National Landmark.