JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. —

What started as a small neighborhood street party in 1969 has grown into a multiday event attracting more than 150,000 visitors to Jeffersontown.

The 10-day Gaslight Festival officially kicked off Thursday with its annual blood drive.

The Jeffersontown Chamber calls it the fifth-largest festival in the region and one of the top 20 in the Southeast.

"We have a few hometown events that really hold a special place in my heart, and this is one of them," Matt McClinton, Skycap balloon promotions, said. "It's just, it's a, it's absolutely an annual tradition."

Coming to the Gaslight Festival has been a tradition for McClinton and his family since he can remember. He started off attending the event as a child, and now, he manages the Balloon Glow event and pilots one of

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