Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation – the Derby Festival’s charitable arm – will hold its “Fest-a-Vegas” fund-raiser THIS SATURDAY (Nov. 19) at Audubon Country Club. Guests are asked to bring canned goods to the event for a food drive, which will help benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank.

“Last year’s event was very successful and benefitted a worthy cause,” said Becky Cowan, Chair of the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation. “This will be a wonderful evening of entertainment that should get everyone in the mood for the holiday season, as well as helping the less fortunate in our community.”

Cocktails, including wine provided by Lovers Leap Vineyard and Winery and a Four Roses bourbon tasting, will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7. A casino, featuring Texas Hold ‘Em poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and a money wheel, will be open from 7:30 to 10:30. Tickets are $125 per person plus canned goods; corporate tables are $1,500. For tickets or more information, call (502) 572-3856.Dress for the event is business casual. Last year’s event raised more than $5,000 for the Derby Festival Foundation, as well as contributing 119 pounds of food for the Dare to Care Food Bank.

The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, a 501 C 3 not-for-profit charity, receives and manages charitable contributions on behalf of the Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., its supporters and the general public. The Foundation perpetuates the Festival’s impact on the community by developing projects that highlight the Festival’s influence on the area’s cultural heritage.  It works to further the Festival’s educational and charitable mission through exhibitions and performances.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to unveil a new commemorative holiday ornament created for the Festival’s 2012 season. The Christopher Radko ornament – titled “Fleur-de-Liberty” – features a red, white and blue color scheme on a silver fleur-de-lis design. A yellow ribbon adorns the ornament, with “Louisville, Kentucky” and “2012 Derby Festival” painted on the side. The ornaments were produced in Eastern Europe by a seasoned team of artists and craftsmen, many of whom have been with the company since it was founded. Each design is crafted by hand, using centuries-old carving, molding, glass-blowing, silver lining, hand-painting and finishing processes that require significant time and skill to complete.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of “Fleur-de-Liberty” ornaments will be donated to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation for Medal of Honor recipient Sgt Dakota Meyer’s $1 Million Challenge to raise $1 million by the Foundation’s 50th anniversary on May 28, 2012.  Meyer has also been named 2012 Thundernator for the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville.  The Foundation is the nation’s oldest and largest need-based scholarship organization supporting U.S. military families.

This is the eighth edition in the Derby Festival’s Radko ornament series: “Golden Pegasus” was created for the Festival’s 50th Celebration in 2005, followed in 2006 by “Festival Flight,” “Destination Derby” in 2007, “Bell of Louisville” in 2008, “Eight Belles” in 2009, “A Good Foundation” in 2010 and “Hometown Holiday” in 2011.

The Christopher Radko Company has been designing and producing fine European glass ornaments for more than 23 years. Christopher Radko has created over 10,000 designs in glass and Home for the Holidays products.  His hand-made, brilliantly colored and glittered ornaments and holiday decorations adorn millions of homes, from celebrities and historic residences to the house next door. Their radiance and originality makes them more a work of art than an ordinary holiday decoration. His ornaments are in the collections of Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Redford, Kim Basinger, John Travolta, Elizabeth Taylor.

“Fleur-de-Liberty” will be available at the Kentucky Derby Festival Office at 1001 South Third Street (502-584-6383), or on the Festival’s website at www.kdf.org.  Each ornament retails at $60.00.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Sgt Dakota Meyer, the United States Marine Corps veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor in Sept, 2011, will serve as “Thundernator” of the 2012 Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show, the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies. At approximately 9:29 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, Sgt Meyer will provide the Thunder countdown and “zero” ignition to activate the Thunder launch system sequence in the Command Center at the Galt House Hotel. Sgt Meyer, a native of Columbia, Ky., will also be involved in other Kentucky Derby Festival activities next year.

Sgt Meyer’s appearance at Thunder Over Louisville is tied to his partnership with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation to raise $1 million by the Foundation’s 50th anniversary on May 28, 2012. He has also issued a “Challenge to America” to match his efforts and raise an additional $1 million to “Honor Marines by Educating Their Children.” This challenge allows Americans to help wounded Marines from all conflicts, especially in the past 10 years. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the nation’s oldest and largest need-based scholarship organization supporting U.S. military families. Since 1962, the Foundation has provided over 27,000 scholarships valued at more than $67 million, including $5 million to more than 1,600 students for the 2011-2012 academic year.

“As a native Kentuckian, I am humbled to be working with the Kentucky Derby Festival and the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation as they honor the service, our military members and their families.  This scholarship initiative allows our entire community to support military families.  The donations we raise will provide much needed scholarships for children of Marines,” said Sgt Meyer.

President Obama awarded Sgt Meyer the Medal of Honor in recognition of his acts of extraordinary valor on Sept 8, 2009, which saved the lives of 13 U.S. Marines and soldiers and 23 Afghans. Over the course of a six-hour firefight, without regard for his own personal safety, Sgt Meyer repeatedly braved enemy fire in eastern Afghanistan attempting to find and save fellow members of his embedded training team. He is the first living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for service in Afghanistan or Iraq.

“We are extremely honored to have Sgt Dakota Meyer as the 2012 Thundernator and to take part in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “Sgt Meyer is a true American hero and we’re thrilled that he will be part of our festivities. Next year’s Thunder Over Louisville show will feature a patriotic theme and we couldn’t imagine a more fitting person to kick off the fireworks finale. We’re encouraging Thunder fans to wear red, white and blue to the waterfront to show their support.”

The Kentucky Derby Festival is donating up to $5,000 in proceeds from the sale of its 2012 Christopher Radko holiday ornament to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. Public donations to the “Challenge to America” can be made online at www.dakotameyer.com or text “DAKOTA” to 50555 to donate $10.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Republic Bank and Kentucky Derby Festival are holding a contest to rename the large inflatable balloon that annually leads the parade units down Broadway.  Previously known as “Absolutely Pegasus,” the balloon is shaped in the form of Pegasus, the legendary winged horse of Greek mythology and a longtime symbol of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The contest began in October and runs through the end of the year.

There are three ways to enter:

• by picking up an entry form at an area Republic Bank branch;
• by emailing a submission to Pegasus@republicbank.com; or
• by texting “PEGASUS” to 511511 (Text “Pegasus,” then a space, then new name submission).

The winner of the renaming competition will be announced in March at the annual float and inflatable position draw for the parade.  The winner will receive Parade VIP treatment, which includes being introduced at the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade Preview Party on May 1 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, riding in a convertible in the 2012 parade and tickets in the review stand for the event.

The Pegasus Parade – the Derby Festival’s founding event  – is one of nearly 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 325 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation.  It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two- week period. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that Republic Bank has renewed its title sponsorship of the Pegasus Parade – the Festival’s oldest event – to extend through the 2013 Derby Festival. Republic Bank began sponsoring the Pegasus Parade in 2002. The extension of Republic’s parade sponsorship was announced at a press conference this morning at the Derby Festival office. The Pegasus Parade, first held in 1956, is set for Thursday, May 3, in downtown Louisville.

“We are thrilled that Republic Bank will continue as title sponsor of one of the community’s oldest and most treasured events,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “Over the past decade, Republic’s commitment has allowed us to expand the number of units and attractions in the Pegasus Parade and to entertain thousands of enthusiastic spectators. We’re very grateful that Republic Bank recognizes the tradition and pride associated with one of the best parades in the entire country.”

Said Republic Bank Chairman and CEO Steve Trager: “Republic Bank is widely known for supporting its local communities and our sponsorship of this beloved parade goes to that mission. We’re honored that the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade is held in such high esteem and we look forward to continue supporting an event that appeals to children of all ages. The theme of next year’s parade is “Family, Fun and Games,” and we’re sure those traditions will be proudly represented next year.”

Also announced at the press conference was a new contest to rename the large inflatable balloon that annually leads the parade units down Broadway. Previously known as “Absolutely Pegasus,” the balloon is shaped in the form of Pegasus, the legendary winged horse of Greek mythology and a longtime symbol of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The contest, which begins today and runs through the end of the year, has three ways to enter:

• by picking up an entry form at an area Republic Bank branch;
• by emailing a submission to Pegasus@republicbank.com; or
• by texting “PEGASUS” to 511511 (Text “Pegasus,” then a space, then new name submission).

The winner of the renaming competition will be announced in March at the annual float and inflatable position draw for the parade.  The winner will receive Parade VIP treatment, which includes being introduced at the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade Preview Party on May 1 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, riding in a convertible in the 2012 parade and tickets in the review stand for the event.

The theme of the 2012 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade is “Family, Fun and Games.” The creators of the parade floats traditionally design their units to adhere to each year’s parade theme. Entries are now being accepted for floats, marching bands and other parade units online at www.kdf.org or by contacting Anna Miller at (502) 572-3828.

The Pegasus Parade – the Derby Festival’s founding event  – is one of nearly 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 325 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation.  It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two- week period. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that it has received 31 Awards at the International Festivals and Events Association’s 56th Annual Convention and Expo held this week in Ft. Worth, Texas. The Derby Festival received a Silver Grand Pinnacle Award in the Grand Pinnacle category, finishing runner-up to the Portland Rose Festival. The Grand Pinnacle is a recognition of the best overall festival program among the IFEA’s membership. (The Derby Festival received the Gold Grand Pinnacle Award in 2009, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 1991.) The Derby Festival also received 10 Gold Pinnacles, 13 Silver and 7 Bronze in various other categories for events, media relations, advertising campaign, sponsorship and merchandise.   (Click here to see the complete list of awards.)

Alex Freeman, a former Kentucky Derby Festival board member and KDF volunteer for more than 40 years, was presented with the 2011 IFEA/Zambelli Fireworks Volunteer of the Year Award at this week’s convention. She is the first Derby Festival volunteer ever to receive this international recognition.

“It’s very gratifying for all your hard work to be recognized by other special events professionals,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “The Pinnacle Awards are a reflection of tremendous support provided by our board, sponsors, volunteers and the community as a whole. We were very excited to see Alex Freeman receive such a prestigious honor after more than four decades as a selfless volunteer for seemingly every event on our schedule.”

The International Festivals and Events Association has more than 2,000 member festivals from around the world. The 2011 IFEA Pinnacle Awards competition honored the best special events, festival materials, promotions and ideas among the organization’s membership. The Derby Festival competed with events among the ranks of the Indy 500 Festival, Seattle Sea Fair, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Memphis in May International Festival, Music for All, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Friends of San Antonio Commission, National Capital Commission (Ottawa, Canada), Dublin Irish Festival, World Gourmet Summit (Singapore), Boryeong Mud Festival (Korea) and the Ludwig Van Beethoven Association (Poland).

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that the American Queen – the largest steamboat ever built – will join the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati in the Festival’s 2012 Great Steamboat Race on May 2. The vessel’s home port is the Beale Street Landing in Memphis, Tenn. The American Queen will begin a series of 3- to 10-night cruises next April, with regular stops in Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Chattanooga, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul and New Orleans.

“We’re very excited that this magnificent boat will participate in next year’s Great Steamboat Race,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “The American Queen will certainly be a sight to see and will add a striking presence to the Louisville waterfront during Derby Week next year. Having these three vessels compete in the Great Steamboat Race in 2012 is a tremendous way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this unique event.”

“The Great Steamboat Race has always been one of my favorite Derby Festival events,” said John Waggoner, Chairman of Great American Steamboat Company and President/CEO of HMS Global Maritime. “Adding another steamboat to this dynamic race will be quite the spectacle to behold.  Our corporate offices are located right here in the Louisville area.  This makes our participation even more exciting.  Our enthusiastic American Queen crew is looking forward to winning the Silver Antlers in 2012.”

The American Queen is a six-deck recreation of a classic Mississippi riverboat and is the only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat sailing in the United States. The American Queen, which is 418 feet long and 89 feet wide, was launched in 1995 and is currently undergoing a $5 million renovation. She has a capacity of 436 guests and a crew of 160. Tickets for cruise packages aboard the American Queen are on sale now; for more information visit the company’s website at www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com.

The Belle of Cincinnati will be competing in the Derby Festival’s Great Steamboat Race for the eighth time – winning the competition in 2010.  She replaced longtime race competitor the Delta Queen in 2009, which now operates as a floating hotel on the Tennessee River at Chattanooga.  Prior to 2009, the Belle of Cincinnati had participated in the race four consecutive years, beginning in 2002.

The Great Steamboat Race was first held in 1963.  The historic race series between the Delta Queen and Belle of Louisville ended in 2008 with the hometown Belle of Louisville finishing with an overall record of 22 wins versus the Delta Queen’s 20 victories. The race was cancelled once in 1967 and rescheduled in 1966, 1983 and 2011 due to high water. Three other boats have won the event – the Julia Belle Swain in 1976, the Natchez in 1982 and the Spirit of Jefferson in 1999.

Details of the 2012 Great Steamboat Race will be released next spring, but all three boats will have the opportunity to capture the Silver Antlers, which are traditionally presented to the winning crew.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The International Festivals & Events Association and Zambelli Fireworks are pleased to announce Alex Freeman from the Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville, KY, as the recipient of the 2011 IFEA/Zambelli Fireworks Volunteer of the Year Award.  As this year’s winner, Alex will be the guest of the IFEA and Zambelli Fireworks at the IFEA’s 56th Annual Convention & Expo, October 3-5, 2011 in Fort Worth, TX, where she will be recognized and presented with her award during the IFEA Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon on Monday, October 3rd, 2011.

Alex Freeman stood out among the other outstanding volunteer nominations for her enthusiasm and dedication as a volunteer for the Kentucky Derby Festival.   The length and depth of Alex Freeman’s involvement with the Kentucky Derby Festival can best be described in three words: forty one years.  As a member of its board of directors for 18 years and as a civilian volunteer serving on event committees and helping with event production; Alex Freeman is and has been, a dedicated and dependable volunteer and she shows no signs of slowing down!

Alex first became involved with the Derby Festival when The Derby Festival’s Great Balloon Race was first held; the same year Alex and her husband John started their balloon company, Air ‘n’ Mania. Together they have participated in the Balloon race a number of times and even won the event in 1980!  Working on the inaugural Great Balloon Race was Alex’s first foray as a Derby Festival volunteer and she hasn’t looked back since.

It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to describing the difference that Alex Freeman has had on the growth and success of the Kentucky Derby Festival over the past 41 years. Her impact and influence cannot be limited to a single event, or even a series of events.  One would be hard pressed to imagine what the Festival would be like without her leadership – both as a volunteer and a board member. The Derby Festival is an infinitely better and stronger organization with the involvement of Alex Freeman and all the volunteers she has helped to recruit. Forty-one years is a mighty long run for any endeavor, but it’s particularly remarkable that Alex remains as enthusiastic and supportive as ever.

To quote a current Derby Festival staff member: “You can see Alex’s love for this organization in everything she does. She is truly an ambassador for the Kentucky Derby Festival, always referencing the Festival within the community with pride. Most of all, I love that she always does it with a smile.”

For a more in depth look at Alex Freeman, Click Here.

Steve Rosenauer, Executive Director of the St. Mary’s University Alumni Association/Fiesta Oyster Bake in San Antonio, TX and Chair of the 2011 Volunteer of the Year Committee for IFEA, said “It is volunteers that most often determine an event’s success. Festivals and events rely heavily on the dedication of volunteers.  Without their spirit of involvement and commitment to their communities it would be difficult to pull off any event, large or small.”  Rosenauer added that “While ultimately only one person is selected for this high honor, hundreds of volunteers are recognized by IFEA’s member organizations and affiliated associations. All of us in this industry recognize that volunteers are the backbone of our business.”

The late George Zambelli, Sr. of Zambelli Fireworks and sponsor of the award since its inception in 2001, summed it up well when he said “imagine a world without the great blessing of volunteers; it would be a far different place. God bless them all.

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) is The Premiere Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide. In partnership with global affiliates under the umbrellas of IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East, and IFEA North America the organization’s common vision is for “A Globally United Industry that Touches Lives in a Positive Way through Celebration,” The Association offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide. Visit the IFEA website at www.ifea.com for additional details.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The American flag flown every year during Thunder Over Louisville – the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies – will be part of this weekend’s commemoration of 9/11.  Thunder Producer, Wayne Hettinger, has partnered with Mayor Greg Fischer for the “American Freedom” event which will be a full afternoon of honoring all those in uniform.  Hettinger’s annual “Freedom Walk” event will conclude the day’s activities.  The event begins at 2 P.M. on Sunday, September 11th on the Great Lawn of Waterfront Park.  It is free and open to the public.

“American Freedom” is an official Metro Louisville event  and will include:

• a procession of a steel beam from the New York Twin Towers, escorted by Louisville Police, Louisville Firefighters, Louisville EMS and Bagpipers
• remarks by special guests and officials
• the laying of ceremonial wreaths
• a 21 gun salute, Taps, and a flyover by a C-130 from the Kentucky Air National Guard.
• “Flags 4 Vets” will place 25,000 flags on the Great Lawn to spell out U.S.A.

Following the 2:00 PM ceremony, a Naturalization Ceremony will take place at 3:00 PM.

The day’s activities will conclude with the “Freedom Walk”, where the public is invited to help carry the Thunder 60 foot flag, and witness the flag folding ceremony.

The event will be attended by Governor Steve Beshear, Senator Mitch McConnell, Representative John Yarmuth, Brigadier General Michael Dornbush and other local, state and federal officials.  Police Chief Robert White and Fire Chief Greg Frederick have taken an active role in planning the event, along with Dr. Neil Richmond of Metro’s Emergency Medical Services and the Flags4Vets organization.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that Walmart has renewed its presenting sponsorship of the 2012 Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon road races. The races, which reached their combined registration cap of 15,000 entrants the past three years, will expand to 18,000 participants in 2012. The KDF Marathon and mini will be held on Saturday, April 28, and will start and finish in downtown Louisville for the second consecutive year.

“We’re very grateful to Walmart for allowing us to expand the entry field to a record 18,000 runners in 2012,” said Pat Armstrong, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Development for the Kentucky Derby Festival. “The runners really embraced the new downtown start and finish this year and we sold out entries earlier than ever before. Walmart is committed to the community and to growing the races. Their generous support and the support of their volunteers helps the Derby Festival add new components to the event that keeps it among the top races in the country.”

“We are proud to be the presenting sponsors once again this year,” said Shana Bailey of Walmart. “We believe in helping people live better and are encouraged to see the increase in number of participants this year. It is wonderful to see so many people taking part in such an ambitious community event.”

Walmart has been the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon since 2009.  Online registration for the 2012 races is open now at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com. Early registration fees are $50 for the mini and $65 for the Marathon. The races will once again feature a start on Main Street in downtown Louisville and a finish near the entrance to Krogers Festivals on the Waterfront at Preston and Witherspoon streets.

Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Author:
KDF Press Office

It’s that time of year again when the Kentucky Derby Festival is looking for candidates to comprise the Royal Court and reign over the 2012 Kentucky Derby Festival. Applications are available now on the Derby Festival’s website at www.derbyfestival.org and must be submitted online only. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 14. The Royal Court program is not a beauty pageant. This is a great opportunity for any talented young woman to earn scholarship monies and serve as an official ambassador for one of the world’s leading civic celebrations.

“We encourage young women from all over Kentuckiana to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Being a member of the Derby Festival’s Royal Court has been a great experience for students from a wide variety of backgrounds,” said Stacey Robinson, Senior Vice President of Operations for the Kentucky Derby Festival. Applicants must be single, female residents of Kentucky or the metropolitan area (Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties of Indiana), poised and outstanding in her community. A candidate must be a full-time student during the current academic year, attending a university, college or accredited professional school with a minimum accumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. She must be 18 years old on or before Dec. 31, 2011. All applicants must attend a screening on either Saturday, Oct. 29, or Saturday, Nov. 5, Goldberg Simpson Law Firm, 9301 Dayflower St. in Louisville. Contact Sandy Allen, Vice President of The Fillies, Inc., at (502) 459-3253 or email at sandyallen1@insightbb.com with any questions.

The Royal Court selection process is a self-nominating procedure. The program represents the Kentucky Derby Festival and is overseen by members of The Fillies, Inc., a non-profit organization of 250 of the finest community volunteers. In addition to coordinating the program, the women of The Fillies produce the gala Derby Ball, during which the Derby Queen is selected and her Derby Court established. The court will be selected in January with the Queen chosen by a “spin-of-the-wheel” at the Derby Ball on April 20, 2012. Each member of the Royal Court will receive two $1,000 scholarships – one from The Fillies, Inc., and one from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation. In addition to other sponsor gifts, each woman receives a complimentary wardrobe.

A long-standing Derby tradition, the Derby Festival Queen and Court act as official ambassadors for one of the country’s leading civic celebrations, attending nearly 70 Festival events. Since 1957, past Derby Festival Queens and Courts have been making an impression on their community. They include Martha Layne Collins, Kentucky’s first woman Governor, and a number of other community leaders.  Many say their Derby Festival experience helped them prepare for their future careers.

Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Registration for the 2012 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon opens Aug. 8 and will be capped at a combined 18,000 entrants – up from 15,000 in 2011. The races, which will be held on Saturday, April 28, will once again feature a start and finish in downtown Louisville.

Entry fees for the 2012 Derby Festival miniMarathon: 

$50 until November 30, 2011

$65 from December 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012

$85 February 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012

Entry fees for the 2012 Derby Festival Marathon:

$65 until November 30, 2011

$80 December 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012

$100 February 1, 2012 through March 30, 2012

The races will start simultaneously at 7:30 a.m. at Main and Floyd streets and will finish at Preston and Witherspoon streets, just outside the entrance to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Online registration will be available at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com.

“We’re very excited to open up the field for next year’s Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon to a record 18,000 runners,” said Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry. “We reached our capacity of 15,000 participants earlier than ever this year and we’re pleased to be able to accommodate an additional 3,000 entrants in 2012, making it the largest day of road racing in Kentucky history. The course changes we implemented last year were very well-received by runners and we’re thrilled to build on that. We encourage people to register early – both to save money and to guarantee entry in the races.”

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that the 2012 Derby Festival Basketball Classic will be played on Sunday, April 22, at the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville. The game will be played on the day after Thunder Over Louisville – the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies – which will take place on Saturday, April 21. The Night of Future Stars – a skills competition among Basketball Classic players – will be held on Friday, April 20, at a yet to be determined location. The Basketball Classic and Night of Future Stars have traditionally been held on consecutive nights.

“We’ve always wanted the players in the Derby Festival Basketball Classic to be able to watch the spectacular Thunder Over Louisville air show and fireworks display, but the timing has never worked out before,” said Keith Conrad, Recruiting Chairman for the Basketball Classic. “These players and their families travel to Louisville from all over the country and we’re really excited that they’ll be able to enjoy Thunder. We think this attraction will help us to continue to recruit the top high school seniors in the nation.”

Tickets for the Basketball Classic go on sale on Jan. 18, 2012. Tickets will be available through TicketMaster outlets (800-745-3000) or the KFC Yum! Center box office (502) 690-9090.

First held in 1973, the Derby Festival Basketball Classic is the oldest high school all-star game in the nation. In 1987, the Classic set a record for attendance with a crowd of 19,041 at Freedom Hall. The event is not unlike the NBA All-Star weekend, with spotlights and lively music.

The Derby Festival Basketball Classic has showcased some of the nation’s finest high school talent before the players move onto to stardom at the collegiate and professional levels.Players such as Jamal Mashburn, Moses Malone, Rex Chapman, Pervis Ellison, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, Darrell Griffith, Derek Anderson, Anfernee Hardaway and Michael Beasley have starred in the Classic.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Mayor Greg Fischer’s goal of creating a more compassionate Louisville took a big step today with the announcement that a city-wide week of volunteering to help others will be an official Derby Festival event starting in 2012. To help launch the new event, a week of volunteering has also been scheduled this October.

Working in partnership with Metro United Way, the new service event will be called “Give A Day”, and Fischer said the goal is for it to be the largest volunteer service-day effort in the world. “We want Louisville to be known as the most caring city, where neighbors help neighbors and people look after each other,” Fischer said. “We want as many people as possible in all areas of our city to get involved in Give A Day.”

Set for the week before Thunder Over Louisville, the Give A Day service projects will be the official start of the 2012 Derby Festival. “The Kentucky Derby Festival knows very well the importance of volunteers and we’re very excited having the ‘Give A Day’ service initiative as part of next year’s official Festival schedule,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “We literally could not produce our events without a large and dedicated corps of volunteers. We’re proud to be part of this important initiative.”

To help get the “volunteer energy flowing” for the first Give A Day event, a week of service projects at Louisville non-profit and charitable agencies is being organized for Oct. 17-23.

Fischer urged citizens, businesses and civic groups to join in and volunteer – and for Louisville non-profit groups, schools and churches to identify service projects and contact Metro United Way regarding their need for volunteers to help.

“Metro United Way and our Volunteer Connection are once again proud to be a part of helping Mayor Fischer organize his volunteer service event in October and for the upcoming 2012 Derby Festival event,” said Kelly C. Garvey, Metro United Way’s Director of Engagement Initiatives. “As the region’s volunteer center we are here to help both organizations find the volunteers they need and help volunteers share their time and talent with very worthy causes. Our Volunteer Connection website is ready to post organizations’ projects and is also ready to get people within our community registered as a volunteer for a project during the Give A Day event.”

The response from Louisville’s business community to the Give A Day events has been tremendous, Fischer said. UPS – the city’s largest private employer and one of its most engaged corporate citizens – plans to be heavily involved as does Louisville-based Texas Roadhouse, and many other companies.

Support is also coming from auto workers in the Louisville area. “It is a great privilege for the UAW to join forces and lend a hand to the community during these Give A Day events,” said Todd Dunn, president of Local 862. “Creating a more compassionate Louisville will take a united effort from all of our citizens.”

Individuals, companies and groups can volunteer online for the Oct. 17-23 Give A Day service projects by going to www.mygiveaday.com. Agencies and organizations that have projects needing volunteers should use that same link.

The growing list of organizations that will be available for volunteers to help includes The Center for Women and Families, Dare to Care, Boy Scouts, House of Ruth, Kling Center, Catholic Charities, Brightside, Home of the Innocents, Family Scholar House, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Jewish Family and Career Services, American Cancer Society and Father Maloney’s Boys and Girls Haven.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival’s 2011 Opening Ceremonies – Thunder Over Louisville – will be broadcast next month on the American Forces Network to more than one million U.S. Armed Forces personnel and Department of Defense civilian employees and their families stationed overseas. The 120-minute program, which features the entire Thunder fireworks show and highlights of the Thunder Air Show, will be shown on July 4th and 10th to personnel stationed overseas in approximately 175 countries and U.S. territories, as well as aboard more than 140 U.S. Navy ships.

WLKY, the local CBS affiliate, exclusively aired the original Air Show and fireworks coverage on April 16 of this year and has produced the 120-minute edited HD version that will be shown on the American Forces Network in conjunction with Independence Day celebrations. WLKY will also air a condensed, two-hour version of its Thunder Over Louisville coverage on Sunday, July 17, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Thunder Over Louisville – the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies – is one of nearly 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The 2011 Thunder Over Louisville, themed “Thunder Power,” was the 22nd annual production. The show was sponsored this year by Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer, UPS and community McDonald’s Thunder Funders.

Author:
KDF Press Office

In yet another controversial competition, the Belle of Louisville amassed 61.5 points to 55 points for the Belle of Cincinnati – temporarily renamed the Belle of Kentucky – to win tonight’s Kentucky Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race presented by Turner Construction Company. The race was postponed by nearly two months due to high water conditions on the Ohio River, but sailed tonight under beautiful cruising conditions.The Belle of Cincinnati was temporarily renamed the Belle of Cincinnati as part of the event’s promotion of the University of Louisville-University of Kentucky rivalry. Utilizing a task and point system format for determining the winner, the Belle of Louisville scored 29 points by crossing under the Clark Memorial Bridge first to win the sixth and final task in the scoring system.

Task No. 1 (worth 10 points) was an obstacle course competition among three-member teams from each boat crew that took place on the Fourth Street wharf prior to departure. The Belle of Louisville completed the course in the fastest time to take a 10-0 lead in the points competition.

Task No. 2 (15 points) was a Handy Line Toss and Monkey Fist Toss, which was won by the Belle of Louisville to take a 25-0 lead.

Task No. 3 (5 points) was a Calliope Contest during the afternoon, which was won by the Belle of Cincinnati to cut its points deficit to 25-5.

Task No. 4 (25 points) called for both boats to put ashore and pick up VIP passengers (the University of Louisville “Cardinal Bird” mascot and the University of Kentucky’s Wildcat mascot) and a barrel of Four Roses bourbon. The Belle of Kentucky successfully picked up its bourbon barrel and VIP passenger; the Belle of Louisville picked up its bourbon barrel but neglected to pick up the UL Cardinal Bird and was penalized 17.5 points for a “lazy retrieval attempt,” giving the Belle of Kentucky a 30-7.5 lead.

Task No. 5 (25 points) called for each crew to retrieve a flag secured to a buoy in the river by using a pike pole. Both boats scored 25 points for that task, giving the Belle of Kentucky a 55-32.5 lead.

Task No. 6 was the first boat to cross the finish line at the Clark Memorial Bridge. The Belle of Louisville crossed first to score 29 more points and win the 2011 Great Steamboat Race by a margin of 61.5-55..

The Belle of Cincinnati, which is powered primarily by diesel engines and is faster than the steam-powered Belle of Louisville, traveled 8.2 miles upriver and turned around at Harrods Creek. The Belle of Louisville made its traditional turn at Six Mile Island. The Belle of Louisville was awarded a set of silver-plated antlers that is traditionally given to the winning vessel. The Awards Ceremony took place immediately following the race at the Fourth Street wharf.

The Great Steamboat Race was presented by Turner Construction Company. Contributing sponsors are: Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille, Four Roses Bourbons and Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival’s Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament, originally set for May 3, will be held on June 28 aboard the Belle of Cincinnati steamboat. The tourney was postponed because the Belle of Cincinnati was unable to travel downriver due to high water on the Ohio River. All entries for the event will be honored for the rescheduled date.

This is the fifth year for the tournament. Entry is a $125 Buy-In and includes 10,000 chips, plus a commemorative Derby Festival Texas Hold ‘Em collectible metal event pin. There will be no re-buys. The tournament is limited to 325 participants. Add-on is available for the first hour of play for $40 for 4,000 chips; there will be payouts for 1st through 24th places. Payouts will be based on the final number of players. The first place prize is $6,000 and a custom winner’s bracelet.

Interested participants may pre-register online at www.derbyfestival.org through NOON on Friday, June 24th or by calling (502) 584-FEST.  Participants may also register day of the event, if spots are available.

95.7 WQMF is contributing sponsor of the event.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., Board of Directors elected Wendy Jacob as Chair of the 2012 Derby Festival at its annual meeting on June 22 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Jacob is a Vice President with BB&T and a regional employment manager. She follows the successful leadership of James A. “Ja”Hillebrand, President of Stock Yards Bank, who will continue serving as Immediate Past Chair of the Derby Festival.

“I am honored and excited to be Chair of the Kentucky Derby Festival,” said Jacob. “The Derby Festival touches the very fabric of our community and it’s not just about fireworks and floats. I’ve been very fortunate to work with some wonderful people at the Derby Festival and am looking forward to another great Festival in 2012.”

Jacob was first elected to the Derby Festival Board in 2001 and has been a member of the KDF Executive Board since 2005. She has served on the Festival’s event committee for Thunder Over Louisville, U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest, Basketball Classic, Spring Fashion Show, Student Art Contest, Poster Premiere, Celebrity Luncheon, Republic Bank Pegasus Parade and Spelling Bee. She is also a board member of the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, the Derby Festival’s charitable arm.

Michael E. Berry continues as President and CEO of the Festival. Chris Whelan, Director of Communications and Brand Management, LG&E, was elected Chair-Elect and David Nett, Customer Communications Manager, The Kroger Company, was elected Vice Chair. Trish Osborn, Senior Vice President, American Founders Bank, was elected Treasurer; Wes Rutledge, Vice President of Investments, Hilliard Lyons, was elected Secretary.

Elected to the Festival’s Executive Board were: Jim King, King Southern Bank; Jim Lacy, Zirmed; and Scott Watkins, Norton Healthcare.

Joining the 75-member board as newly elected directors were: Patsy Allen, The Fillies Inc.; Gail Becker, Louisville Metro Government; Helen Davis, Jefferson Community and Technical College; Bill Fisher, I.E. DuPont de Nemours & Co.; Terry Jenks, Galt House Hotel & Suites; and Julie Pogue, Julie Pogue Properties.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that 18 charitable organizations took part in the 2011 Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon presented by Walmart on April 30, raising a record $392,711 for their respective causes – up from $255,033 in 2010. The charities were assisted by the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, the Derby Festival’s charitable arm. The KDF Foundation established criteria for organizations to be recognized as Official Charity Partners of the races and Foundation board members and volunteers were assigned as liaisons to help coordinate the fund-raising efforts.

“It’s very gratifying to know that these charitable organizations are utilizing the Derby Festival road races to raise significant amounts of money for such deserving causes,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “The Derby Festival Foundation’s Charity Module committee has done a tremendous job of recruiting charitable organizations and keeping them motivated and organized. It takes a tremendous amount of work to coordinate these efforts and we’re proud to be affiliated with such a worthwhile endeavor.”

The American Cancer Society’s Louisville DetermiNation Team, which raised $55,929 in 2011 – up from $13,000 in 2010 – was named “Charity of the Year” by the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation.

In addition to the American Cancer Society, the following organizations were Official Charities of the 2011 Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon: American Lung Association; American Printing House for the Blind; Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation; Dare to Care; ElderServe; Gilda’s Club; James Graham Brown Cancer Center; Kentucky and Southern Indiana Stroke Association; Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation; Kentucky Hemophilia Foundation; Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies; Kosair Children’s Hospital; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Olmsted Parks Conservancy; Orphan Care Alliance; Ovarian Awareness of Kentucky; and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Author:
KDF Press Office

One of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s oldest events – the Great Steamboat Race presented by Turner Construction Company – will take place on Wednesday, June 29, after being rescheduled from its original date of May 4. Due to high water conditions on the Ohio River in early May, the Belle of Cincinnati was unable to travel downriver to take part in the Great Steamboat Race against the hometown Belle of Louisville and the event was postponed. Tickets purchased for both vessels will be honored for the rescheduled date. Tickets are still available for both boats and may be purchased by calling the Derby Festival office at (502) 584-FEST or online at www.derbyfestival.org.

“We were disappointed that the Great Steamboat Race could not take place during Derby Week, but we’re excited about showcasing the event at a more relaxed time of year,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “The Great Steamboat Race is a truly unique spectacle and a nostalgic reminder of a time gone past. The rescheduled race will be a great time for passengers on both boats and for spectators watching from the banks of the Ohio River.”

“As originally planned, the Belle of Cincinnati will assume the temporary title of the Belle of Kentucky’ in June and will serve as the fan boat for University of Kentucky spectators, while the Belle of Louisville will serve as the University of Louisville fan boat. There will be tailgating parties for UK fans at Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille and for UL fans at Cox Park. The winner of the race will once again be determined by the number of points amassed by the crews of both vessels from performing a series of tasks throughout the day.”

Boarding for the Great Steamboat Race will take place from 4:45 to 5:40 p.m., with the boats departing shore at 5:45 for a 6 p.m. start. The winner of the event will be awarded a set of silver-plated antlers. The Awards Ceremony will take place immediately following the race at the Fourth Street wharf. Tickets for the Belle of Louisville (while still available) cost $130; Belle of Cincinnati tickets cost $30 and does not include dinner.

The Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race, first held in 1963, has only been cancelled once in 1967 and was rescheduled in 1966 and 1983 due to high water. Both the 1966 and 1983 races were also held in June. For most of the event’s history, the Belle of Louisville was pitted against the Delta Queen, with the Belle of Louisville finishing with an overall record of 23 victories versus 20 for the Delta Queen, which is now moored as a floating hotel on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga.

In 2009, a new era started for the race.  The Belle of Cincinnati was named to replace the Delta Queen.  This will be the seventh time the Belle of Cincinnati has competed in the Great Steamboat Race. Three other vessels have won the Great Steamboat Race – the Julia Belle Swain in 1976, the Natchez in 1982 and the Spirit of Jefferson in 1999.  (The Belle of Louisville was sidelined in 1999 after nearly sinking in 1998.)

The Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race is presented by Turner Construction Company. Contributing sponsors are: Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille, Four Roses Bourbons and Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival will hold its 10th annual Yard Sale on Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18, at the KDF office at 1001 South Third Street in Old Louisville. The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Items for sale will include event T-shirts ($3 each or 2 for $5), past Derby Festival posters for $15, Thunder Over Louisville posters for $5, post cards for $2, glasses and close-out deals on 2011 Official KDF merchandise.

The Derby Festival Pin Wagon will feature 2011 metal event and balloon pins, as well as plastic pins from 1973-2011.  There will also be a Special Pin Room open at the Festival Office with metal event, balloon and corporate pins from 1989 to 2010 available at greatly reduced prices. Changes to the 2011 Pegasus Pin Sponsorship Program resulted in the elimination of an exchange pin. A special edition Exchange Pin is being offered to collectors in limited quantities for $35.

Three editions of the Christopher Radko holiday ornaments – “Bell of Louisville” ($15), “A Good Foundation” ($20) and  “Eight Belles” ($20) – will be offered for sale (the ornaments typically retail from $50 to $65). Purchases made online at www.kdf.org will be discounted by 50 percent.

The event typically attracts large crowds, so patrons are encouraged to come early and pick up some great items at very reasonable prices. Cash and credit cards will be accepted for purchases.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Pegasus Pin purchasers who found a gold instant win pin in their 2011 Pegasus Pin Sponsorship envelope must register online at www.pegasuspins.com by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, to eligible for the drawings of 12 Grand Prizes. Festival patrons will not have to leave home to find out if they’ve won a Grand Prize. The Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin Sponsorship Grand Prize Drawings will be held on WAVE 3 TV broadcasts beginning Thursday, May 12, through Wednesday, May 18 (excluding Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15). Winners will be posted online and contacted following each drawing.

This year, inside each pin envelope is a membership card with a “scratch-off” bar that hides a unique 12-digit alphanumeric code.  Pin purchasers will use this code to register online at www.pegasuspins.com.  After registering, they’ll receive 4 coupons, sent to their e-mail.  Plus, those who don’t find a gold pin, will have an opportunity to play a “Spin and Win” game online to become an instant winner.

Registering online can be done in five easy steps:  Step 1) Register your pin by entering the alphanumeric code from your pin card; Step 2) Select two discount coupons from 11 participating retailers (in addition to getting two coupons for Derby Festival merchandise or events); Step 3) Super-fy your pin by entering additional information about yourself; Step 4) Play the Spin and Win Game to become an instant prize winner; and Step 5) Check your email inbox to receive your coupons and print them out.

2011 GRAND PRIZES TO BE DRAWN

AAA – $2,500 Travel Certificate

Ashley Furniture HomeStore – $2,500 Furniture Package

Dillard’s – $2,500 Spring Makeover

Kentuckiana Honda Dealers – 2011 Honda CRV

KitchenAid – $2,500 Appliance Prize Package

Kroger – $2,500 Grocery Shopping Spree

Kroger – $2.500 Gift Card

Kroger – $2,500 Fuel Card

Meijer – $2.500 Backyard Makeover

Senior PGA Championship – Ultimate Golf Package

Sleep Outfitters – Queen Mattress Set

Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. – $2,500 Savings Bond

The Pegasus Pin is the community’s primary way to support Derby Festival events.  Revenue generated from the pins helps to underwrite (along with corporate sponsorship) the many free events of the not-for-profit Derby Festival, such as Thunder Over Louisville and the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest. The Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit civic organization that must raise all its funds privately to produce the annual three-week slate of more than seventy events.  In addition to support from corporate sponsorship and merchandising royalties, the community actually helps produce the events it enjoys through personal contributions with the Pegasus Pin Program.

Author:
KDF Press Office

This is the schedule for FRIDAY’S Festival activities.

The party continues Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville and  the Chow Wagon:

KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONT. Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Waterfront Park.  ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more. Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).  Sponsor:  Kroger.  Contributing Sponsor:  Miller Lite.

DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON. Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Outdoor food & live music venue. Sponsors: Kroger and Miller Lite.  Featuring the Miller Lite Music Stage.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).

Derby Eve Jam:

DERBY FESTIVAL DERBY EVE JAM FEATURING JUSTIN MOORE WITH SPECIAL GUEST DUSTIN LYNCH.  8 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Contributing sponsors:  New Country Q103.1 and Country Legends 103.9.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Derby Ball for Teens:

DERBY FESTIVAL ILLUMINATION DERBY BALL PRESENTED BY THE STEWARD’S STAFF.  8:30 PM  Actors Theatre of Louisville.  Tickets $20 in advance and $25 after April 30.  Available online at www.stewardstaff.org. Louisville’s only high profile Derby event exclusively designed for teens – the ultimate prom experience. For more information call (502) 742-6927 or www.stewardstaff.org.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival’s oldest event – the 56th annual Republic Bank Pegasus Parade – marched down Broadway this evening under beautiful weather conditions. The parade, which is one of the Festival’s most cherished and popular events, attracted a crowd estimated at 275,000 to downtown streets. Four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients served as Grand Marshals of the parade. The Grand Marshals were: World War II veteran Hershel “Woody” Williams of West Virginia; Korean War veteran Ernie West of Russell, Ky.; Vietnam War veteran Gary Littrell of Henderson, Ky; and Vietnam War veteran Don Jenkins of Quality, Ky. The members of Bellarmine University’s NCAA Division II men’s national champion basketball team served as Honorary Grand Marshals of the Pegasus Parade.

The theme for this year’s parade was “Heroic Adventures” and tied in to the overall theme for the 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival – “SuperFest” –  which celebrates TV, movie and comic book Superheroes, as well as heroic individuals from our own community.

Other celebrities participating in the parade included Kate Gosselin of TLC’s reality show Kate Plus 8; Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas of VH1’s What Chilli Wants;  2011 Miss America Teresa Scanlan; and professional poker legend Robert Williamson III. The 2011 Pegasus Parade was dedicated to the memory of the late Judy Barcus, who entertained thousands of people as “Ju-Ju” the Clown and was a longtime Derby Festival supporter. Parade volunteers wore clown buttons featuring a photo of Judy and a banner honoring her was carried down the parade route.

Supporters of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky were cheering down the parade route as their float took home the Addison McGhee Sweepstakes Award for best overall float. Hwang’s Martial Arts won the Grand Marshal’s Award; Second Chance@Life won the KDF Board Chair’s Award; and Kosair Charites/Kosair Shriner’s won the President’s Award

The parade is known for its beautiful equestrian units. Grand Champion Equestrian Unit went to the Kentucky Horse Park Equestrian Team. The first place award for Best Mounted Equestrian Unit went to Young Guns 4-H Equestrian Drill Team. Best Commercial Driven Equestrian Unit went to Wells Fargo; Non-Commercial Driven Unit was awarded to Patriot Hills Equestrian Team. Illinois Valley Central High School won the Grand Prize in the Basil Caummisar Battle of the Bands competition. Derby City Rollers won the Ray Wimberg Specialty Unit Award, LGE’s Louie the Lightning Bug won the Earl Ruby Inflatable Spirit Award and Rocky Mountain Equestrain won the Super Scooper Award.

It is not surprising that the parade is consistently voted as one of Louisville’s favorite events. The parade is a true community asset and generates an economic impact annually of $14 million. More than 90% of the route is free public viewing thanks to the sponsorship of Republic Bank.The parade was lead by their “Absolutely Pegasus” balloon.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Star Gazing:

DERBY FESTIVAL CELEBRITY LUNCHEON.  11:30 AM.  Churchill Downs, Sixth Floor. Tickets: $792 Tables of 8 or $892 Preferred Table of 8 or $99 each.  Contributing sponsor:  Fashion Bug.

Parade On Broadway:

REPUBLIC BANK DERBY FESTIVAL PEGASUS PARADE.  5 PM.  West on Broadway from Campbell to 9th Street. Bleacher tickets $9 and chair seating $11. Review stand seating $26. This annual spectacle of colorful floats, marching bands, giant inflatables and equestrians will be broadcast live on WAVE 3 TV. Sponsor: Republic Bank.

Derby Gala:

DERBY FESTIVAL 100 BLACK MEN OF LOUISVILLE DERBY GALA.  9 PM – 2 AM. Kentucky International Convention Center, Cascade Ballroom. Tickets $150, Corporate Table of 10 $1,500. Produced by 100 Black Men of Louisville. For more information call (502) 291-0485 or visit www.100BlackMenofLouisville.com.

The party continues Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Chow Wagon:

KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONT. Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Waterfront Park.  ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more. Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).  Sponsor:  Kroger.  Contributing Sponsor:  Miller Lite.

DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Outdoor food & live music venue. Sponsors: Kroger and Miller Lite.  Featuring the Miller Lite Music Stage.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).

Thursday Concert:

DERBY FESTIVAL TUNE IT UP THURSDAY CONCERT FEATURING CAGE THE ELEPHANT WITH SPECIAL GUEST THE PASS.  8 PM.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin©.  Contributing Sponsor:  93.1 The Fox.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to welcome Todd Snider as the headliner of the Wednesday Night Concert sponsored by 91.9 WFPK on May 4 at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. The show will feature the alt-country artist Snider at 8 p.m.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.

In February, Snider released a double disc album called The Storyteller, which features live versions of songs spanning much of his career, along with some of the stories that have become staples of his show. Snider’s 2006 album, The Devil You Know, was named to several critics’  year-end “best” lists, including a #33 ranking in Rolling Stone magazine’s top 50 albums of the year, a #25 ranking by No Depression magazine, and #14 by Blender magazine.

Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront and the Chow Wagon are open through Friday, May 6.  Fest-a-Ville and Chow Wagon Hours are 11 AM – 11 PM.  Fest-a-Ville is sponsored by Kroger, along with contributing sponsor Miller Lite.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to welcome Cage the Elephant, one of the hottest rock bands on tour and known for high-energy live performances, as the headliner for the Tune It Up Thursday Concert on May 5 at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.

Special guest The Pass will open the show. Cage the Elephant, which hails from Bowling Green, Ky., scored a Billboard #1 Rock Chart single with “Shake Me Down.” The song also reached #1 on Billboard’s Alternative Song chart. Their latest album, Thank You, Happy Birthday, was released in January to critical acclaim and on its first day charted as #1 on the top ten album downloads on iTunes. The album sold 39,000 copies during its first week in the U.S., debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200.

Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront and the Chow Wagon are open through Friday, May 6.  Admission is a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Fest-a-Ville is sponsored by Kroger, along with contributing sponsor Miller Lite. Fest-a-Ville and Chow Wagon Hours are 11 AM – 11 PM.

Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin. Contributing Sponsor: 93.1 The Fox

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival’s oldest event – the 56th annual Republic Bank Pegasus Parade – will step off TOMORROW, May 5, at 5 p.m. The parade will march west on Broadway from Campbell to Ninth Street. The parade is one of the festival’s most cherished and popular events, attracting thousands of spectators to downtown streets. Four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients will serve as Grand Marshals of the parade. The Grand Marshals are: World War II veteran Hershel “Woody” Williams of West Virginia; Korean War veteran Ernie West of Russell, Ky.; Vietnam War veteran Gary Littrell of Henderson, Ky; and Vietnam War veteran Don Jenkins of Quality, Ky. The members of Bellarmine University’s NCAA Division II men’s national champion basketball team will serve as Honorary Grand Marshals of the Pegasus Parade.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Heroic Adventures” and ties in to the overall theme for the 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival – “SuperFest” – which celebrates TV, movie and comic book Superheroes, as well as heroic individuals from our own community.

“We’re tremendously honored to have these four American heroes serve as Grand Marshals of this year’s Republic Bank Pegasus Parade,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest honor presented by the U.S. military and most were presented posthumously. The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon an individual by the passing of a Joint Resolution in the Congress. Our four Grand Marshals have gone well above and beyond the call of duty in serving their country and we couldn’t be more humbled to have them appear in the Pegasus Parade.”

The Bellarmine University NCAA Division II men’s national champion basketball team finished with a 33-2 record, and went 17-1 in their conference. This is the first national championship for Bellarmine University in any sport.

“It’s a tremendous honor for Bellarmine’s basketball team to be a part of one of the greatest spectacles in all of the nation,” said Bellarmine coach Scott Davenport. “Participating in the Pegasus Parade will be a humbling experience and at the same time an outstanding opportunity to thank people throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana for their great support during and after our national championship run.”

Other celebrities participating in the parade include: Kate Gosselin of TLC’s reality show Kate Plus 8; Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas of VH1’s What Chilli Wants;  2011 Miss America Teresa Scanlan; and professional poker legend Robert Williamson III.

The 2011 Pegasus Parade is dedicated to the memory of the late Judy Barcus, who entertained thousands of people as “Ju-Ju” the Clown and was a longtime Derby Festival supporter. Parade volunteers will be wearing clown buttons featuring a photo of Judy and a banner honoring her will be carried down the parade route.

Floats from 10 sponsoring organizations will be featured:

• CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center
• City of St. Matthews
• Grand Lodge of Kentucky
• Hwang’s Martial Arts
• Kosair Charities/Kosair Shriners
• Louisville Zoo
• Norton Healthcare
• PPG Porter Paints
• Second Chance@Life
• The Fillies, Inc.

The parade will feature 10 floats, 13 equestrian units, seven inflatables, 13 marching bands, four push floats and 22 specialty units. Inflatable characters scheduled to participate include: Republic Bank (Absolutely Pegasus), AAA Kentucky (Otto the Auto), Horseshoe Southern Indiana (Horseshoe), Jefferson Community & Technical College (Super Saver), LG&E (Louie the Lightning Bug), Little John’s Derby Jewelry (Under Dog) and ZirMed, Inc. (Super Grover).

Author:
KDF Press Office

Bounce Around:

DERBY FESTIVAL BATTLE OF THE BOUNCE. 11 AM – 2 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin .  Corporate obstacle course competition that benefits Christian Care Communities.  Sponsor:  Montgomery Realtors.  Media Partners:  FOX 41 WDRB-TV and 99.7 WDJX.  For entry information call (502) 254-4200 or visit www.ChristianCareCommunities.org.

Grape Escape:

KENTUCKY PROUD DERBY FESTIVAL WINEFEST.  Wine tasting sessions daily 5 PM – 9 PM.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Tickets: $35, includes wine tastings, etched souvenir wine glass and WineFest pin.  Sponsor:  Kentucky Proud.  Contributing Sponsors: Todays Woman and Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

The party continues Kroger‘s Fest-a-Ville on the Chow Wagon:

KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONT. Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Waterfront Park.  ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more. Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).  Sponsor:  Kroger.  Contributing Sponsor:  Miller Lite.

DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Outdoor food & live music venue. Sponsors: Kroger and Miller Lite.  Featuring the Miller Lite Music Stage.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).

Wednesday Concert:

DERBY FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY EVENING CONCERT FEATURING TODD SNIDER.  8 PM.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin. Contributing Sponsor:  91.9 WFPK.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Author:
KDF Press Office

The $1 million is still up for grabs after 22 years, as none of the 53 competitors aced Hole #8 at Seneca Golf Course in tonight’s Finals of the Fifth Third Bank Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole In One Golf Contest. Alex Mantanona of Louisville came the closest to the pin, hitting his tee shot just ten-and-one-half inches from the cup to set a record for the event.  The previous record was set in 2006 when Michael Coons of Jeffersonville, Ind., landed his tee shot one foot, 3 and 1/2 inches from the hole. Mantanona, who works as a chauffeur, was competing in the Finals of the event for the first time. He won a $5,300 first prize. Henry Burgin finished second in the Finals, winning a Senior PGA Championship golf package, a Louisville Metro Parks gift certificate and Trail Pass.

“I was one of the first golfers to hit and I was a nervous wreck after my turn,” said Mantanona, a native of Hawaii. “I had to walk away; there were still a lot of golfers left. I just walked around and tried to get away from hearing about any of the other golfers.”

A crowd of about 400 turned out at Seneca to watch the 53 Finalists. Any golfer who earlier made a hole-in-one during the qualifying rounds automatically qualified for the Finals and a shot at the $1 million. Any amateur player was eligible to enter. Everyone from scratch golfers to duffers took a swing at qualifying. The Fifth Third Bank Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole In One preliminaries were held at the Louisville Water Tower and Seneca Golf Course. The contest started April 21 and ran through May 1. Each shot was only $1, with special prices available for more than one shot.

The Hole In One Contest is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. Contributing sponsors: Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents, Louisville Water Company, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, WLKY 32 and 84WHAS. The charity partner for the event was Metro United Way.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Due to high water conditions on the Ohio River, the Kentucky Derby Festival Louisville Urban League Moonlight Cruise has been cancelled for Saturday, May 7.

Because of the recent flooding, the Belle of Louisville is not able to cruise for the event.  Predicted river levels will also not allow for a dockside party.

For more information, contact:

Deathra Shipley, Louisville Urban League – 502.566.3415

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Proud Derby Festival WineFest opens tonight.  The event – open from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. tonight and tomorrow – has been moved to a tented venue on the East Belvedere due to high water on the North Great Lawn.  This year’s WineFest will feature 17 wineries from Kentucky and Indiana sampling 99 different varietals.

Tickets are still available for both nights of the seventh annual wine tasting event.  It will be held rain or shine. Tickets cost $35 and include a souvenir etched wine glass, a WineFest pin and unlimited admission to the wine-tasting sessions.  For tickets call 502-584-FEST.

A wine-tasting guide, featuring information on the participating wineries and their products, will be distributed to patrons. The guide will also include a ballot for attendees to vote on their favorite wine in each of several categories.  A limited number of tickets will be available day of at the event entrance.

Kentucky Proud is title sponsor of this year’s WineFest, joining contributing sponsors Today’s Woman and Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

Participating vineyards:

• Acres of Land Winery – Richmond, KY
• Broad Run Vineyards – Louisville, KY
• Chrisman Mill Vineyards & Winery- Nicholasville,KY
• Elk Creek Vineyards – Owenton, KY
• Equus Run Vineyards – Midway, KY
• Generation Hill Winery – Alexandria, KY
• Horseshoe Bend Vineyard and Winery  – Willisburg, KY
• Huber’s Orchard & Winery – Borden, IN
• Indian Creek Winery – Georgetown, IN
• Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery – Lawrenceburg, KY
• MillaNova Winery – Shepherdsville, KY
• Orchard Creek Vineyards-Owenton,KY
• Prodigy Vineyards & Winery – Frankfort, KY
• Purple Toad Winery – Paducah, KY
• River Bend Winery – Louisville, KY
• Stonebrook Winery – Melbourne, KY
• Wight-Meyer Vineyard & Winery – Shepherdsville, KY

Author:
KDF Press Office

The S.O.S. Band and The Dazz Band will have the crowd dancing as they take the stage for the RhythmFest concert TONIGHT at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.

The S.O.S. Band, fronted by Mary Davis, first hit the charts in 1980 with their hit single “Take Your Time (Do It Right).” In 1983, they joined forces with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who went on to craft a string of R&B hits for the group, including “Tell Me If You Still Care,” “Just the Way You Like It” and “Borrowed Love.” The Dazz Band, whose music has been described as “danceable jazz,” was founded in Cleveland and won a Grammy Award in 1982 for the single “Let It Whip.” Other Dazz Band hits include “Joystick” and “Let It All Blow.” Admission for the show, which starts at 8 p.m., is a 2011 Pegasus Pin.

The concert is sponsored by Kroger and Miller Lite. Contributing sponsors are B96.5 FM and MAGIC 101.3

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Finals of the Fifth Third Bank $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest will begin at 6 p.m. TODAY at Seneca Golf Course, Hole #8. Fifty-three finalists will get one shot each at the hole set up 153 yards away for the chance to win $1 million for the first time in the 21-year history of the event. If no Finalist hits a hole in one, the participant hitting the ball closest to the pin will win $5,300. The Finals competition is exciting and free for spectators.

Fifth Third Bank is title sponsor of the event. Contributing sponsors are Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents, Louisville Water Company, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, WLKY 32 and 84WHAS. The event’s charity partner is Metro United Way.

Finalists for Fifth Third Bank $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest:

Alexander Mantanona

Anthony Terwilleger

Brad Haverly

Charles Jarboe

Charlie Nalley

Chris Hartley

Corey Brutcher-Clark

Danny Granger

Dave Emery

David Allen

Dennis Ernst

Don Szwed

Donald Grimes

Doug Thompson

Gary Minter

Greg Brown

Greg Kleber

Greg Lazar

Henry Burgin

Hunter Strickler

Janis Clayton

Jason Byers

Jason Loehr

Jason Willis

Jeff Clark

Jeff Welton

Jess Kellems

Joe Durbin

Joe Pocker

John Gilmore

John Raleigh Jr.

Jordan Tillett

Kenny Blackburn

Kristi Chin

Kristy Stinnett

Kurt Hummel

Mallory Lovell

Mark Pontrich

Matt Frawley

Mike Mattingly

Pat Curl

Paul LaLonde

Paula Barmore

Rick GoldberG

Ryan Ramsey

Steve Armes

Steve Gumbel

Steve Smith

Tanny Bradley

Toby Knot

Tom Elliott

Tom Holderfield

Travis Magers

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that the CBS reality television show “Big Brother” will hold an open casting call on Wednesday, May 4, at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. The casting call will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eligibility requirements and applications are available online at www.cbs.com/bigbrother. Admission to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville is a 2011 Pegasus Pin.

“Big Brother” is a TV show in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. Each series lasts for about three months, and there are usually fewer than 15 participants. The housemates try to win a cash prize by avoiding periodic evictions from the home. The houseguests compete for the chance to win a $500,000 prize.

Author:
KDF Press Office

This is the schedule for TODAY’S Festival activities.

Free Health Screenings:

ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD DERBY FESTIVAL HEALTHY LIFESTYLE SHOWCASE.  8 AM – 2 PM.  NEW LOCATION:  Mall St. Matthews.  Free health screenings provided by Norton Healthcare.  Sponsor:  Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Contributing Sponsors: Good Feet and WAKY 103.5.

The party continues Kroger‘s Fest-a-Ville on the Chow Wagon:

KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONT. Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Waterfront Park.  ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more. Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).  Sponsor:  Kroger.  Contributing Sponsor:  Miller Lite.

DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON® Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Outdoor food & live music venue. Sponsors: Kroger and Miller Lite.  Featuring the Miller Lite Music Stage.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).

Thrills and Spills:

DERBY FESTIVAL RUN FOR THE ROSE’.  11:30 AM.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Contributing Sponsors: Kentucky Restaurant Association-Louisville Chapter, Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery, and 95.7 WQMF.

See the Parade before it marches down Broadway:

REPUBLIC BANK DERBY FESTIVAL PARADE PREVIEW PARTY. Private group tours 9 AM – 1 PM. Open to Public 5 PM – 9 PM.  Kentucky Exposition Center South Wing C. Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin. $8 KEC parking fee.  Floats, inflatables and equestrians for the Pegasus Parade on display. To schedule a private group tour call (502) 584-3378 ext. 823.  Sponsor: Republic Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Today’s Family Magazine.  Spider-Man will appear from 6-8 PM.

Walk for a Cause:

DERBY FESTIVAL RAMBLE FOR THE ROSES®.  6 PM.  Five mile walk starting at the Iroquois Park Amphitheater. Join us for the Ramble mini Festival after the walk. Entry fee $20 adults, $10 children.  Contributing Sponsor: 99.7 WDJX. For entry information call (502) 447-4363, ext. 101 or (502) 368-6519 or download at www.DeSalesHighSchool.com/Ramble.  Proceeds to benefit the scholarship programs of DeSales High School and Holy Cross High School.

Million Dollar Hole-In-One:

FIFTH THIRD BANK DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTEST FINALS.  6 PM. Seneca Golf Course, Hole #8. Free for spectators.  Sponsor: Fifth Third Bank. Contributing Sponsors:  Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents, Louisville Water Company, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, WLKY 32 and 84WHAS.

Great Grapes:

KENTUCKY PROUD DERBY FESTIVAL WINEFEST.  Wine tasting sessions daily 5 PM – 9 PM.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Tickets: $35, includes wine tastings, etched souvenir wine glass and WineFest pin.  Tickets are STILL available and will be sold at the entrance to the event.  Kentucky Proud.  Contributing Sponsors: Today’s Woman and Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

The S.O.S. Band and The Dazz Band In Concert:

DERBY FESTIVAL RHYTHMFEST PRESENTED BY STATE FARM FEATURING THE S.O.S BAND AND THE DAZZ BAND.  8 PM Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Sponsors:  State Farm Insurance Companies, Kroger and Miller Lite.  Contributing Sponsors:  B96.5 FM and MAGIC 101.3.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Author:
KDF Press Office

The 33rd annual Derby Festival Run for the Rose’ will be held TOMORROW (Tuesday, May 3) at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. (The course could be moved under adjacent Interstate 64 if the field at Fest-a-Ville is too wet for the competition.) This colorful, fun-filled Festival event, featuring corporate, men’s and women’s divisions, will have a field of about 60 individuals, 20 relay teams and 15 corporate teams.

Contributing sponsors of the event are: Lovers Leap Vineyard and Winery, Kentucky Restaurant Association – Louisville Chapter and 95.7 WQMF.

In the main competition, area waiters and waitresses compete for prizes and pride. They race around a 500-foot obstacle course balancing six full glasses of wine. The course includes obstacles representing Superhero themes tied to the Festival’s overall 2011 theme, “SuperFest.” Participants will wear a cape and mask for the final portion of the course. The winner is the person with the fastest time and the most wine left. A new Restaurant Team Relay division has been added this year. Corporate division teams, including local media, will also compete in a relay format.

The overall male and female winners receive cash prizes and sponsor gifts. The first place-winning team in the Corporate and Restaurant Team Relay divisions will receive trophies and sponsor gifts, as well having their entry fee donated to a charity of choice.

The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation.  It entertains more than 1.5 million people annually. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Now on its fourth year on the KDF event schedule, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Derby Festival Healthy Lifestyle Showcase moves to Mall St. Matthews on Tuesday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s event will focus mainly on mothers, expecting mothers and families. The Healthy Lifestyle Showcase will include: Norton Healthcare Free Health Screenings (Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Osteoporosis and Bone Density); Norton Women’s Pavilion Prenatal Class Info; Kentucky Regional Poison Control Center Poison Prevention Education; Louisville Water Company Free Screening and Dental Treatment; Austin Chiropractic Massages and Good Feet Louisville Foot Screenings.

The event will also include giveaways every hour, including gift cards and Republic Bank Pegasus Parade tickets. The Healthy Lifestyle Showcase is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, with contributing sponsors Good Feet Louisville and WAKY 103.5.

Author:
KDF Press Office

A crowd of about 5,000 spectators turned out tonight for the Stock Yards Bank Derby Festival Great Bed Races, which were held at the KFC Yum! Center for the first time. Forty-six entries took part in the 22nd annual Bed Races, one of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s zaniest events. The Curtain Call Photo Booth team took the overall title, completing two laps around the track in a time of 30:06. Many of the team members and their beds were outfitted to reflect the Derby Festival’s 2011 “SuperFest” theme. This year’s event featured just one division, with veteran teams pitted against novice competitors for prizes and bragging rights.

The results of the 22nd annual competition:

1st Place:  Curtain Call Photo Booth  – 30:06

2nd Place:  Geek Squad City – 31:01

3rd Place:  Apple Valley Gang – 32:01

Best Decorated Bed: Bigelow Tea “SuperHero of Health” theme

Most Entertaining: Rubbies Southside Grill & Bar “Despicable Me” movie theme

People’s Choice: Rubbies Southside Grill & Bar

Most Likely to Break Down: AAA Kentucky

Cone Eater: GE Appliances – Technology Bravo (30 cones and three barrels)

Worst New Course Record: Louisville Coca-Cola (1:26)

Teams pushed decorated beds on wheels around the “track,” competing for the fastest times and decoration and entertainment awards. Prizes went to the teams with the three fastest times, as well as for the “Best Decorated Bed,” “Most Entertaining,” “People’s Choice,” “Most Likely to Break Down,” “Cone Eater” and “Worst New Course Record”categories. The People’s Choice Award returned for the seventh year in a row, with attendees paying to cast their votes; Rubbies Southside Grille & Bar was the winner. A total of $400 was raised in voting, with half the money going to the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation and half to Kosair Charities.

Winners will also be invited to appear in the Pegasus Parade on May 5. Sponsored by Stock Yards Bank & Trust. AAA Kentucky, Mattress & More and 107.7 SFR were contributing sponsors. The event was broadcast live on WAVE 3 TV. First held in 1990 on the cobblestone streets of downtown Louisville in Theatre Square as “Bedlam in the Streets,” this event has exploded in popularity.  Now in its 22nd year and first year at the KFC Yum! Center, it continues to attract participants from small local businesses to five-man teams from large corporations.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Republic Bank Derby Festival Parade Preview Party will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the Kentucky Exposition Center’s South Wing C. The event is a great way for Festival fans to get an inside glimpse at the people who make the parade and its units so popular. Each parade float and inflatable will be on display, complete with costumed characters, as well as three equestrian units.

The 2011 Derby Festival Royal Court will be in attendance to pose for photographs and sign autographs. Children can participate in the Fun Pass Program, collecting stamps to receive a free Parade Preview metal pin. Children’s activities include interactive games and a stage performance by representatives of the Louisville Science Center and the Frazier International History Museum. Spider-Man will make an appearance from 6 to 8 p.m., posing for photographs and speaking to children about the dangers of bullying. Admission to the Parade Preview is a 2011 Pegasus Pin.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Due to an NBC News special on the death of Osama bin Laden, the first half-hour of tonight’s WAVE 3 TV broadcast of the Kentucky Derby Festival Stock Yards Bank Great Bed Races at the KFC Yum! Center will be aired live on WAVE 3.3 digital and WAVE3.com. When the special ends at 7:30 p.m., the Bed Races live broadcast will move to the flagship station WAVE 3 for the remaining 30 minutes of the program.

Bed Race Teams will race decorated beds on wheels around a “track,” competing for prizes for fastest times and most outrageous costumes and decorations. With the move to the new venue at the Yum! Center, the 600-foot running length of the course will remain the same, but teams will now have to make two crossovers instead of just one. There will be only one competitive division in this year’s event, with both veteran and novice teams racing together. The participating teams will have an opportunity to showcase their costumes and bed in a pre-race parade around the racing surface, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The first heat begins at 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the teams with the three fastest times. Two new awards have been added this year – the “Cone Eater” and “Worst New Course Record Time.” Winners will also be invited to appear in the Pegasus Parade on Thursday, May 5.

Stock Yards Bank is the sponsor of the Great Bed Races, with contributing sponsors AAA, Mattress & More and 107.7 SFR.

Author:
KDF Press Office

This is the schedule for MONDAY‘S Festival activities.

Teeing it up with kids:

DERBY FESTIVAL DON FIGHTMASTER GOLF OUTING FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN. 9 AM – 12 PM. Long Run Golf Course.  Children’s golf event.  Free for spectators. Sponsor: Kentucky PGA Foundation.  For more information, call (502) 499-7255.

Special Programming for Kids at the Waterfront:

DERBY FESTIVAL DISCOVERY DAY PRESENTED BY PNC.  11 AM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Educational and interactive activities for young people and families featuring the Stage One performance of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” a Soccer Clinic, kids’ inflatable playground and other participatory activities. Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Presenting Sponsor:  PNC.  Supporting Sponsor:  White Castle.

The party continues Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Chow Wagon:

Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Waterfront Park.  ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more. Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).  Sponsor:  Kroger.  Contributing Sponsor:  Miller Lite.

DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON Open TODAY 11 AM – 11 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Outdoor food & live music venue. Sponsors: Kroger and Miller Lite.  Featuring the Miller Lite Music Stage.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).

Pet Friendly Happy Hour:

DERBY FESTIVAL HAPPYTAIL HOUR.  5 PM – 9 PM.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  A pet-friendly (leashes please!) social event.  Coordinated by Metro Animal Services.

Bed Racing:

STOCK YARDS BANK DERBY FESTIVAL GREAT BED RACES.  6 PM.  NEW LOCATION:  KFC Yum! Center.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.   $130 entry fee for team of 5.  Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company.  Contributing Sponsors: AAA, Mattress & More and 107.7 SFR.  Broadcast live on WAVE 3 TV.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Dogs of all shapes and sizes are invited to Waterfront Park for the fourth annual Metro Animal Services HappyTail Hour.  This pet-friendly cocktail event is an official part of the Derby Festival.  Dog owners may bring their four-legged friends to the South Great Lawn on Monday, May 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  All animals must be on leashes.

This year the crowd will be entertained by The Brigid Kaelin Band from 6-8pm and Rumours, an All Star Fleetwood Mac Tribute band, from 8:30-9:30pm.  Pet owners can play games with their animals and visit breed-rescue and other pet-related booths.  For those looking to add to their pet families, MAS’ 34-foot mobile adoption unit, S.P.O.T, will be on hand with adoptable animals.

“This event becomes more and more popular every year; it just goes to show that people like to include their pets in their Derby Festivities,” said Jackie Gulbe, MAS assistant director of community relations.  “Socializing your dog is a very important part of raising a well-rounded pet, and this event allows pet owners to do that and enjoy a great Derby Festival event too.”

The original event was conceived as a result of community feedback expressing concern about a lack of events that welcome pets.  For more information go to www.Louisvilleky.gov/animalservices, or call Metro Animal Services at 361-1318.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Semifinals of the Fifth Third Bank $1 Million Dollar Hole in One Golf Contest will begin at 6 p.m. today, AT A NEW LOCATION – the Seneca Golf Course driving range off Pee Wee Reese Road.

Contestants are able to qualify for the Semifinals more than once, but only once per day. There will be a total of 53 positions in the Finals, which will include all daily hole-in-one qualifiers and the four female qualifiers from Ladies’ Day. The remaining Finalist positions will be determined at the Semifinals. Each Finalist gets one shot at the green, set up 153 yards away.

The Finals competition, which is exciting and free for spectators, will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, at Seneca Golf Course Hole # 8. In 2010, Kurt Hummel of Louisville came closest to the pin with a shot that stopped 10 feet, 10 inches from the cup. If no hole in one is made at this year’s Finals, the competitor hitting the shot closest to the pin will win a $5,300 first prize.

The $1 Million Dollar Hole in One Golf Contest is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. Contributing sponsors are Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents, Louisville Water Company, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, WLKY 32 and 84WHAS. The Charitable Partner of the event is the Metro United Way.

Author:
KDF Press Office

This is the schedule for TODAY’S Festival activities.

Nation’s largest outdoor Volleyball Tournament continues:

DERBY FESTIVAL VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC. Contributing Sponsor:  98.9 Radio Now, ASICS, Hyatt Regency Louisville and Mikasa. For more information call The Volleyball Connection/Tandem Sports (502) 582-3530.

Sand Divisions – Location:  Baxter Jacks

TODAY        9 AM – 9 PM

Grass Divisions – Location:  Seneca Park (near Tennis Courts)

TODAY         9 AM – 6 PM

Louisville Youth Orchestra Performs:

DERBY FESTIVAL LOUISVILLE YOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERT.  4 PM.  Iroquois Amphitheatre.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  A concert featuring five Louisville Youth Orchestra ensembles.  For more information call (502) 896-1851 or visit www.lyo.org.

The party continues at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville and the Chow Wagon:

KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONT. Open TODAY 1 PM – 11 PM. Waterfront Park.  ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more. Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).  Sponsor:  Kroger.  Contributing Sponsor:  Miller Lite.

DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON Open TODAY 1 PM – 11 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Outdoor food & live music venue. Sponsors: Kroger and Miller Lite.  Featuring the Miller Lite Music Stage.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).

Last chance at HOLE-IN-ONE:

This is the last day to take a swing at a million in the qualifying rounds of the Fifth Third Bank Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest.  It runs 10:00AM – 5 PM at the Seneca Golf Course Driving Range.  Semi-Final rounds begin at 6 PM. Grand Prize:  $1 million.  First Prize (if no Hole-in-One):  $5,300. Sponsor: Fifth Third Bank. Contributing Sponsors:   Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents, Louisville Water Company, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, WLKY 32 and 84WHAS.  Charitable partner:  Metro United Way.

Concert this afternoon:

DERBY FESTIVAL CELEBRATION SUNDAY WITH 88.5 WJIE.  1 PM – 11 PM Family activities. 3:30 PM Anthem Lights. 4 PM Revive.  5 PM Rush of Fools. 6 PM Downhere.  7 PM  Building 429.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Christian contemporary concert.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Sponsor:  88.5 WJIE.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Author:
KDF Press Office

With more than 15,000 registered participants, the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon presented by Walmart went off this morning under warm and dry weather conditions. Asnake Fekadu of Hebron, Ky., won the men’s miniMarathon in a time of 1:04:35, beating second place finisher Joseph Maina of Richmond, Ky., who clocked a time of 1:04:53. Alemtsehay Misganaw of New York, N.Y., won the women’s miniMarathon in 1:15:11, edging Irina Mashkantseva, who finished in 1:15:49. Peter Kemboi of Hebron, Ky., won the mens Marathon in 2:24:59; Theo Martin of Page, Ariz., finished runner-up in 2:34:11. Veronika Lopatina won the women’s Marathon in a record time of 2:41:24, beating Christina Johnston of Xenia, Ohio, who clocked a time of 2:48:59. Chad Johnson of Charlestown, Ind., successfully defended his men’s miniMarathon wheelchair division title with a time of 54:14; Jessica Galli of Savoy, IIll., won the women’s miniMarathon wheelchair division in 58:03.

In the male 5-Person Relay Team Competition, The Benefits “A” Team finished first in a total time of 3:07:00; Just for Kids finished second in 3:28:17. Just for Kids #1 Team won the female 5-Person Relay Team Competition in a total time of 3:20:29; Magee Lt. Team finished second in 3:26:05. Gym Class Heroes won the Coed 5-Person Relay Competition in 2:26:59, with ULSD Rocks finishing second in 3:27:26.

The top finishers in the 2011 Derby Festival miniMarathon:

MEN’S WHEELCHAIR DIVISION

PLACE             FINISHER                     TIME                            HOMETOWN

First                  Chad Johnson              0:54:14                         Charlestown, Ind.

Second             Matt Davis                     0:58:02                         Bowling Green, Ky.

Third                 James Lilly                    0:59:48                         Chicago, Ill.

WOMEN’S WHEELCHAIR DIVISION

PLACE             FINISHER                     TIME                            HOMETOWN

First                  Jessica Galli                  0:58:03                         Savoy, Illinois

MEN’S DIVISION

PLACE             FINISHER                     TIME                            HOMETOWN

First                  Asnake Fekadu             1:04:35                         Hebron, Ky.

Second             Joseph Maina                1:04:53                         Richmond, Ky.

Third                 Richard Kandie               1:05:31                       Coon Rapids, Minn.

WOMEN’S DIVISION

PLACE             FINISHER                     TIME                            HOMETOWN

First                  Alemtsehay Misganaw     1:15:11                       New York, N.Y.

Second             Irina Mashkantseva          1:15:49                       NA

Third                 Ann Alyanak                    1:15:59                        Bulbrook, Ohio

The top finishers in the 2011 Derby Festival Marathon were:

MEN’S DIVISION

PLACE             FINISHER                     TIME                            HOMETOWN

First                  Peter Kemboi                2:24:59                         Hebron, Ky.

Second             Theo Martin                   2:34:11                         Page, Ariz.

Third                 Mark Riggs                    2:38:15                         West Dundee, Ill.

WOMEN’S DIVISION 

PLACE             FINISHER                     TIME                            HOMETOWN

First                  Veronika Lopatina          2:41:24                         NA

Second             Christina Johnston         2:48:59                          Xenia, Ohio

Third                 Rebekah Robinson         3:07:33                         Louisville, Ky.

Complete race results can be found by logging onto www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com. The 2011 Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon were sponsored by Walmart. Contributing sponsors of the races are: Powerade, Churchill Downs, Courier-Journal Media, Subway Restaurants of Kentuckiana, Asics and Bluegrass Family Health. The Official Pace Car for the races was MINI OF LOUISVILLE.

Race support was provided by Jewish Sports Medicine, Louisville Water Company and UPS.

The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation.  It entertains more than 1.5 million people annually. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Author:
KDF Press Office

It was a great day for flying according to George Troutman, Launch Director for the 39th annual U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race.  Clear, blue skies and about 7 mph hour winds enabled 30 balloons to take off in one of the Derby Festival’s marquee events.  The beautiful weather also encouraged a crowd of hundreds of balloon fans who watched the competition get underway just after 7 a.m. this morning at Bowman Field.

The hare balloon (U.S. Bank) landed west of the Clark County Airport, near the Sellersburg, Indiana, Water Tower about an hour after launching.  Some of the hound balloons chased the hare for up to an hour and 30 minutes before landing. U.S. Bank landed and laid out a giant “X” for a target.  There were mild winds when the balloons launched and calmer winds when the balloons landed, allowing 16 of the chase balloons to drop their bag of Kentucky bluegrass seed within 200 feet of the target.

PLACE                        BALLOON                                        PILOT                                                    SCORE

FIRST                    Oliver Winery                                        Warren Smith                                       950

SECOND              Central American Airways                 Peyton Hoge                                         917

THIRD                   Tran Orthodontics                              Nick Donner                                         883

FOURTH – TIE   U.S. Bank                                              Mary & David Troutman                     833 (mother & son team)

FOURTH – TIE   Sunny Side of Louisville                     Jerry Cowles                                         833

The purse for Saturday’s race is worth $2500 for the pilots.  The Central American Airways balloon, piloted by Peyton Hoge, was declared the OVERALL winner of the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest based on a combination of point s from both Friday and Saturday’s races.  Hoge wins a complimentary entry for Central American Airways in the 2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great BalloonFest.

This was the fifth of five ballooning events that are part of the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest.  The race was sponsored by U.S. Bank.  The Hare balloon was piloted by Scott McClinton.  Contributing sponsors are Arison Insurance Services, Inc., and the Horseshoe Foundation of Southern Indiana.

The Derby Festival balloon events remain one of Louisville’s favorite family traditions.  The race is regarded by pilots as one of the country’s most prestigious balloon events and began in 1973 with nine balloons flying in the inaugural launch from Iroquois Park.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Christian Rock band Building 429, honored as New Artist of the Year by the Gospel Music Association in 2005, will headline the Derby Festival Celebration Sunday concert at 7 PM on Sunday, May 1, at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. Building 429, whose name was inspired by a Biblical passage, hit the charts in 2004 with the song “Glory Defined,” which remained no. 1 on Christian Radio Weekly’s AC chart for 10 consecutive weeks, claiming the spot faster than any single in the history of the publication. The group also received four Dove Award nominations in 2005.

High energy pop foursome Anthem Lights will open the show at 3:30 PM.  Australian-based Christian music band Revive takes the state at 4 PM. Rush of Fools, best known for their 2007 hit single, “Undo,” performs at 5 PM, followed at 6 PM by Downhere, a Juno Award-winning Christian rock band from Canada. Admission is a 2011 Pegasus Pin. Celebration Sunday is sponsored by 88.5 WJIE.

Other activities on Sunday at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville include a Superhero Costume Party from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and a Louisville Lightning soccer clinic from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Excellent weather conditions enabled 27 balloons to take off in the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Rush Hour Race this morning.  This is the seventh year for the drive-time race event, which was added to the Festival’s BalloonFest schedule in 2005.  The competition got underway at 7 AM at Bowman Field, as the wind took the balloons east.

The  27 “Hound” balloons took off from Bowman Field in “chase” of the “Hare” – U.S. Bank balloon, piloted by Scott McClinton.   McClinton flew for about 30 minutes before landing at the University of Louisvilles Shelby Campus at Hurstbourne Parkway and Taylorsville Road.  Winds were a bit tricky and only two of the pilots made a measurable toss of their bag of Kentucky bluegrass seed near the target, a giant vinyl “X.”

With two races planned for the weekend, the overall winner will be chosen based on a points system.  Based on this morning’s race, the Kentucky National Guard Balloon, piloted by Bill Smith, is the front runner.  Smith came within 121 feet of the target laid out by race sponsor and hare balloon U.S. Bank and scored 948 points.

FIRST PLACE:  Kentucky National Guard, piloted by Bill Smith – 121 feet, 9 inches – 948 pts.

SECOND PLACE:  Central American Airways, Peyton Hoge – 134 feet, 2 inches – 983 pts.

The U.S. Bank Great Balloon Tour and Glimmer events were cancelled yesterday due to high winds and rain.  The remaining events on the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest schedule include the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow at 9 p.m. tonight and the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 30. The Balloon Glow will feature free valet bicycle parking at the venue entrance off Pee Wee Reese Road from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Parking for the Glow is $5 (cash only).  The parking entrance for the Glow and Race is off of Cannons Lane.  On Saturday morning, the balloons will take flight in the oldest portion of the balloon events, the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race.

The Derby Festival Great BalloonFest is sponsored by U.S. Bank. Contributing sponsors are Arison Insurance Services, Inc., and the Horseshoe Foundation of Southern Indiana.

Author:
KDF Press Office

There will be minor changes to the route for the 2011 Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon presented by Walmart on Saturday, April 30. The Festival has learned that Norfolk Southern Railroad can not delay trains on their track at Floyd Street and Central Avenue for the amount of time needed to accommodate the 15,000 runners participating in the races. With the storm damage in the south, in addition to flooding of the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, it is critical that the flow of railroad traffic not be obstructed for long periods of time. To avoid interrupting the flow of freight and supplies being transported, the Derby Festival is making minor adjustments to the course.

The portion of the race being omitted is at Mile 8 for the mini runners and mile 17.5 for the marathon runners, or about 1.54 miles of the course. To make up for the lost distance, the first turn for runners will now be at 20th Street after the start of the race, and proceed to Market Street. After exiting Churchill Downs, the runners will go down Third Street instead of Floyd Street.  Waterstops and other amenities for the runners have been adjusted accordingly. The new course will be certified by the U.S.A.T.F.

An updated race map will be posted by midnight on the race website at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com.

Both races will still start and finish in downtown Louisville. Runners will start the races on Main Street, alongside Louisville Slugger Field, and will finish just outside the entrance to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville venue at Preston and Witherspoon streets. Both races will start at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30.

The Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon are presented by Walmart. Contributing sponsors are: ASICS, Bluegrass Family Health, Churchill Downs, Courier-Journal Media, Powerade and Subway Restaurants of Kentuckiana. Official Pace Car: MINI OF LOUISVILLE.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer scheduled for tonight at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, has been cancelled due to rain showers and high winds in the area.  The event will not be rescheduled.

The remaining events on the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest schedule are all set to take place at Bowman Field beginning tomorrow morning. They include: the U.S. Bank Rush-Hour Race at 7 a.m. on Friday, April 29; the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow at 9 p.m. on April 29; and the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 30. The Rush-Hour Race will offer a beautiful view to those fighting traffic on their way to work. The Balloon Glow will feature free valet bicycle parking at the venue entrance off Pee Wee Reese Road from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Saturday morning, the field of 30 balloons will take flight in the oldest portion of the balloon events, the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race.

Since the first Great Balloon Race was held in 1973, the Derby Festival’s balloon events have been considered among the best in the country by pilots from all around the world. BalloonFest attractions are annually among the most popular family-friendly events on the Derby Festival schedule. There are four flight opportunities to get both races off the ground – Friday morning, Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning. If the event is not held by Sunday morning, it is considered cancelled. In the event’s 36-year history, this has occurred six times.

The Derby Festival Great BalloonFest is sponsored by U.S. Bank. Contributing sponsors are Arison Insurance Services, Inc., and the Horseshoe Foundation of Southern Indiana.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Tour, scheduled to fly in to the campus of Indiana University Southeast this afternoon, has been cancelled due to high winds. The event will not be rescheduled. No decision has been made yet on the status of the U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. tonight at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.

The remaining events on the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest schedule are all set to take place at Bowman Field. They are: the U.S. Bank Rush-Hour Race at 7 a.m. on Friday, April 29; the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow at 9 p.m. on April 29; and the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 30. The Rush-Hour Race will offer a beautiful view to those fighting traffic on their way to work. The Balloon Glow will feature free valet bicycle parking at the venue entrance off Pee Wee Reese Road from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Saturday morning, the field of 30 balloons will take flight in the oldest portion of the balloon events, the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race.

Since the first Great Balloon Race was held in 1973, the Derby Festival’s balloon events have been considered among the best in the country by pilots from all around the world. BalloonFest attractions are annually among the most popular family-friendly events on the Derby Festival schedule. There are four flight opportunities to get both races off the ground – Friday morning, Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning. If the event is not held by Sunday morning, it is considered cancelled. In the event’s 36-year history, this has occurred six times.

The Derby Festival Great BalloonFest is sponsored by U.S. Bank. Contributing sponsors are Arison Insurance Services, Inc., and the Horseshoe Foundation of Southern Indiana. Media partner is KOOL 1570 AM.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Due to high water on the North Great Lawn, Derby Festival has decided to move the location of this year’s Kentucky Proud WineFest.  The event will move from the Overlook at the Great Lawn to a tented venue on the East Belvedere on Tuesday, May 3, and Wednesday, May 4, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.  This year’s WineFest will feature 17 wineries from Kentucky and Indiana sampling 99 different varietals.

Tickets are still available for the seventh annual wine tasting event.  It will be held rain or shine. Tickets cost $35 and include a souvenir etched wine glass, a WineFest pin and unlimited admission to the wine-tasting sessions. A wine-tasting guide, featuring information on the participating wineries and their products, will be distributed to patrons. The guide will also include a ballot for attendees to vote on their favorite wine in each of several categories.  A limited number of tickets will be available day of at the event entrance.

Kentucky Proud is title sponsor of this year’s WineFest, joining contributing sponsors Today’s Woman and Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

Participating vineyards:

Acres of Land Winery – Richmond, KY

Broad Run Vineyards – Louisville, KY

Chrisman Mill Vineyards & Winery- Nicholasville,KY

Elk Creek Vineyards – Owenton, KY

Equus Run Vineyards – Midway, KY

Generation Hill Winery – Alexandria, KY

Horseshoe Bend Vineyard and Winery – Willisburg, KY

Huber’s Orchard & Winery – Borden, IN

Indian Creek Winery – Georgetown, IN

Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery – Lawrenceburg, KY

MillaNova Winery – Shepherdsville, KY

Orchard Creek Vineyards-Owenton,KY

Prodigy Vineyards & Winery – Frankfort, KY

Purple Toad Winery – Paducah, KY

River Bend Winery – Louisville, KY

Stonebrook Winery – Melbourne, KY

Wight-Meyer Vineyard & Winery – Shepherdsville, KY

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival Running Wild Expo will open at 11 a.m. TODAY at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville. The expo will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 29, for runners taking part in the Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon presented by Walmart on Saturday, April 30. New this year, the Expo will feature the BlueMile Lounge where runners can sample a nutrition tasting bar and ask questions of sports nutritionists.

Race registration has reached the previously announced cap of 15,000 runners – there will be NO LATE ENTRIES OR BIB TRANSFERS for runners who want to participate in the races but are not registered. However, race organizers will offer 250 “Charity Bibs” for runners who missed the registration deadline. The bibs – which allow entry into either the Marathon or miniMarathon – cost $125, with proceeds going to the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, the Derby Festival’s charitable arm. The Charity Bibs will only be available at the Running Wild Race Expo, first-come, first-served.

The races, which will begin simultaneously at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, start at Main and Floyd streets in downtown Louisville and finish at Preston and Witherspoon streets, just outside the entrance to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, an entertainment venue located within Waterfront Park. Every registered runner will need to bring their confirmation email from the Kentucky Derby Festival and a valid photo ID. Runners WILL NOT be able to pick up race packets for other registered runners.

The Wheelchair Division of both races has a new Official Sponsor this year – the Kessler Foundation, which is a medical center conducting research to improve the quality of life for persons with injuries of the spinal cord and brain, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other chronic neurological and orthopedic conditions. Three of Kessler’s recovering spinal cord patients will be participating in the miniMarathon.

The Running Wild Pasta Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29, at the Expo. The dinner is a great way for runners to carbo-load with friends and family members. Tickets for the dinner are $9 for adults and $6 for children under 12.

Walmart is presenting sponsor of the Marathon and miniMarathon. Contributing sponsors are Powerade, Churchill Downs, Courier-Journal Media, Subway Restaurants of Kentuckiana, Asics and Bluegrass Family Health. Supporting sponsors are Jewish Sports Medicine, the Louisville Water Company and UPS.  The Official Pace Car: MINI OF LOUISVILLE.

The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation.  It entertains more than 1.5 million people annually. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Due to high water conditions on the Ohio River, the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Texas Hold’em Tournament – originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 3 – will be rescheduled for Tuesday, June 28. The Belle of Cincinnati, will not be able to travel downriver next week because of the river conditions. In addition, the Derby Festival’s Great Steamboat Race – originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 4 – has been postponed until Wednesday, June 29.

This is the fifth year for the tournament. Entry is a $125 Buy-In and includes 10,000 chips, plus a commemorative Derby Festival Texas Hold’em collectible metal event pin. There will be no Re-Buys. The tournament is limited to 325 participants.  Add-on available first hour of play is $40 for 4,000 chips.  Payouts for 1st through 24th places. Payouts based on 325 players, payouts will be pro-rated based on actual number of players. First place: $6,000 and custom winner’s bracelet. Resister by calling (502) 584-FEST

95.7 WQMF is contributing sponsor of the event.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Due to high water conditions on the Ohio River, the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Steamboat Race presented by Turner Construction Company – originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 4 – will be rescheduled for Wednesday, June 29. The Belle of Cincinnati, the hometown Belle of Louisville’s opponent in the riverboat rivalry race, will not be able to travel downriver next week because of the river conditions. In addition, the Derby Festival’s Texas Hold’ Em poker tournament – originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 3, aboard the Belle of Cincinnati – has been postponed until Tuesday, June 28.

“Unfortunately, the Belle of Cincinnati will not be able to make it to Louisville in time for the traditional date for the Great Steamboat Race – the Wednesday of Derby Week,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “We are notifying ticket holders on both boats of the postponement and we’ll move full-steam ahead for having the event on June 29. We’ll still have all the components of the Great Steamboat Race at that time and the rescheduling will allow the river to recede and open up more shoreline for spectators.”

Ticket holders should hold on to their tickets.  Great Steamboat Race tickets will be honored for both boats on June 29th.

“As originally planned, the Belle of Cincinnati will assume the temporary title of the ‘Belle of Kentucky’ in June and will serve as the fan boat for University of Kentucky spectators, while the Belle of Louisville will serve as the University of Louisville fan boat. The winner of the race will once again be determined by the number of points amassed by the crews of both vessels from performing a series of tasks throughout the day.”

The Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race, first held in 1963, has only been cancelled once in 1967 and was rescheduled in 1966 and 1983 due to high water. The 1983 race was also held in June.

For most of the event’s history, the Belle of Louisville was pitted against the Delta Queen, with the Belle of Louisville finishing with an overall record of 23 victories versus 20 for the Delta Queen, which is now moored as a floating hotel on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga.

In 2009, a new era started for the race.  The Belle of Cincinnati was named to replace the Delta Queen.  This will be the seventh time the Belle of Cincinnati has competed in the Great Steamboat Race. Three other vessels have won the Great Steamboat Race : the Julia Belle Swain in 1976, the Natchez in 1982 and the Spirit of Jefferson in 1999.  (The Belle of Louisville was sidelined in 1999 after nearly sinking in 1998.)

The Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race is presented by Turner Construction Company. Contributing sponsors are: Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille, Four Roses Bourbons and Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Due to flooding at Shawnee Golf Course, the Don Fightmaster Golf Outing for Exceptional Children will move to Long Run Golf Course in Louisville at 1605 Flat Rock Road.  The event will be held Monday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  The event is free for spectators and is sponsored by Kentucky PGA Foundation.

In addition to providing a fun day of entertainment for physically or mentally challenged children, the event has raised more than $700,000 for children’s charities over the years.

For more information, call (502) 499-7255.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Due to flooding at Waterfront Park, the Derby Festival will move the location for the Grass Division competition in this weekend’s Volleyball Classic.  The event will move to Seneca Park near the tennis courts (same location as the Coca-Cola Brightside Volleyball Tournaments held in July) from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. April 30, and May 1.  Sand Divisions will still be held at Baxter Jacks from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. April 30, and May 1.

Sand Divisions at Baxter Jacks

April 30 and May 1: 9 AM – 9 PM

Grass Divisions at Seneca Park (near tennis courts)

April 30 and May 1: 9 AM – 6 PM

With nearly 500 teams participating, the Derby Festival Volleyball Classic is the country’s largest outdoor volleyball tournament. It promotes all levels of play and forms of competition – doubles, trips, quads and six-person – on both sand and grass.

Contributing sponsors of the Volleyball Classic are 98.9 Radio Now, ASICS, Hyatt Regency Louisville and Mikasa.

For more information call The Volleyball Connection/Tandem Sports (502) 582-3530 or visit the tournament website at www.baxterjacks.com

Author:
KDF Press Office

Due to the impending forecast and predicted flooding of the Ohio River, the Derby Festival will move the location for the preliminary rounds of the Fifth Third Bank Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest.  The event will move to the Seneca Golf Course driving range at 2300 Pee Wee Reese Road beginning Monday, April 25, at 10 a.m.  Preliminaries opened Thursday at the Louisville Water Tower at River Road and Zorn Avenue and will remain open there through 8:30 p.m. tonight (weather permitting).

“Louisville Water Company is a wonderful partner and host of the event. We appreciate Metro Parks and Seneca Golf Course allowing us to move the infrastructure on such short notice,” said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO.  “Our golfers are familiar with this course, since it’s been the location of the finals for many years. It will allow us to keep the event up and running without waiting for the river to recede.”

The event will be held at Seneca’s Driving Range through Sunday, May 1.  (April 23-30: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., May 1: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Semifinals 6 p.m. CLOSED Easter Sunday.)  All of the amenities golfers are used to will be moved to the new location, including the new Michelob Ultra 19th Hole refreshment tent that will be open daily serving Happy Hour specials from 4 to 6 p.m.  This is the first time that preliminaries have not been held at the Louisville Water Tower location in their entirety.

During the preliminary rounds, the 10 best shots (closest to the hole or hole-in-one, including ties) will advance. Any female contestant hitting a hole-in-one will be considered as part of the regular daily qualifiers, except for Ladies’ Day when four women will advance directly to the Finals as well as 10 other daily qualifiers. A contestant may qualify for the Semi-finals more than once, but only once per day. There will be a total of 53 positions in the Finals, which will include all daily hole-in-one qualifiers and the four female qualifiers from Ladies’ Day. The remaining Finalist positions will be determined at the Semifinals. Each Finalist gets one shot at the green, set up 153 yards away. The Finals competition is exciting and free for spectators.

AGAIN THIS YEAR, each golfer hitting a hole in one during the qualifying rounds will win $53. This year’s Hole-In-One Golf Contest will benefit Metro United Way. Any golfer who agrees in advance to donate $5 to Metro United Way, if they make a hole in one during the preliminary rounds, will receive $153 for making an ace instead of just $53. The participant coming closest to the hole during the Finals (if no hole in one is awarded) will receive a $5,300 first prize.

Fifth Third Bank is title sponsor of the event. Contributing sponsors are Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents, Louisville Water Company, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, WLKY 32 and 84 WHAS.

Author:
KDF Press Office

A crowd of 10,019 was on hand tonight at the KFC Yum! Center as the Gold Team defeated the White Team 126-122 in the 39th annual Derby Festival Basketball Classic presented by papajohns.com. Indiana recruit Cody Zeller scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds and was named Gold Team MVP. Louisville signee Angel Nunez scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds and was named MVP of the White Team. Louisville recruit Chane Behanan was named the “Fan Favorite” in text-message voting by spectators in attendance at the game.

The game featured five McDonald’s All-Americans, three University of Louisville recruits, two Western Kentucky University recruits and two Indiana University signees. At halftime, it was announced that the team of Cody Zeller and Aaron Cosby won Thursday night’s 2-on-2 finals at Bellarmine University’s Knights Hall during the Derby Festival Night of the Future Stars.

Said Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry: “The KFC Yum! Center was a terrific venue to showcase some of the best players in the country.  We had a great crowd for a high-scoring, exciting game that came right down to the wire.”

The Finals for these competitions were held at halftime of tonight’s game.

3 POINT SHOOTING CONTEST

Aaron Cosby    14 pts.    Attending: Seton Hall

SLAM DUNK CONTEST

Levi Randolph    76 pts.    Attending: Alabama

Event sponsor papajohns.com joins contributing sponsors 99.7 WDJX and Reebok in presenting the 39th annual Derby Festival Basketball Classic. The game’s supporting sponsor is The Rock; the media partner is SLAM Magazine. First held in 1973, the Derby Festival Basketball Classic is the second-oldest continuously held high school all-star game in the nation. Players such as Jamal Mashburn, Moses Malone, Rex Chapman, Pervis Ellison, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, Darrell Griffith, Derek Anderson, Anfernee Hardaway and Michael Beasley have starred in the Classic.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Due to predicted river forecasts, Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley is strongly discouraging boaters from getting on the water this weekend for Thunder Over Louisville.

The National Weather Service has predicted that the water level at McAlpine Dam’s upper pool will be over 24 feet by Friday. This will put the river in the Louisville metropolitan area at flood stage.  These conditions will create strong and unpredictable currents and flooding in low lying areas.

“When the water level reaches flood stage, conditions can become potentially dangerous for recreational boaters,” said Cmdr. Andrew Tucci, Sector Ohio Valley Deputy Commander, “If the forecast continues as expected, we strongly advise boaters to stay off the river this year and enjoy the weekend’s festivities from land.”

The strong currents expected make it difficult for recreational boats to maneuver and operate safely.  Anchoring will be difficult. The strong currents will require a heavier anchor and more anchor chain or line than most boaters typically carry.

The high river conditions also include large amounts of driftwood and debris.  These can damage boats, foul propellers, or jam rudders.  Drift and debris can be on or just below the surface of the water, where it is difficult to detect until the damage is done.

The Coast Guard urges recreational boaters who decide to use the river to take the following precautions:

Wear a personal flotation device.  Remember, a lifejacket can only save your life if you’re wearing it!

Dress appropriately for weather conditions.  In addition to expected cool air temperatures, the river is currently at 42ºF.  At these temperatures, hypothermia is a serious risk.

Be vigilant for large pieces of drift and debris in the river.

Make sure you have the proper type and size anchor for your vessel, and ensure that you have plenty of line or anchor chain. Makeshift anchors like five-gallon buckets and cinderblocks will not hold on the river bottom.  Be aware of vessels anchored around you and allow for swing in the anchor line.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that the Silver Horseshoe Award, which is traditionally presented in recognition of service to the community, will be given to the Louisville Metro Police Department. The award will be presented at the 55th annual They’re Off! Luncheon on Friday, April 15, at the Galt House East Hotel. Accepting the award will be LMPD Deputy Chief Vince Robison. The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation – the Derby Festival’s charitable arm – will be represented by chairperson Becky Cowan, who will present a $1,000 check to the LMPD Foundation board member Frank Jemley.

“We couldn’t think of a more worthy recipient to receive the Silver Horseshoe Award than the Louisville Metro Police Department,” said Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry. “They have worked with the Derby Festival since its inception to ensure the safety of our venues and the patrons who attend our events. From Thunder Over Louisville to the Marathon and miniMarathon to the Pegasus Parade, it would not be possible to produce those events without the tremendous support of the Louisville Metro Police Department. We look forward to working with the LMPD for many years to come.”

The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 420 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation.  It entertains more than 1.5 million people annually. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, a 501(c ) 3 not-for-profit charity, was established in 1998. The Foundation receives and manages charitable contributions on behalf of the Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., and is dedicated to providing assistance for charities in the community. Since its inception, the Foundation has given more than $350,000 to support other non-profit agencies and charitable causes.

Author:
KDF Press Office

You can do a lot more at Thunder Over Louisville this year than simply look to the sky. There will be plenty of activities on the ground to entertain friends and family members as well. From the Thunder FoodFest to the Interactive Display Area to the Kid’s Play Areas on the Great Lawn, there’s refreshments and entertainment galore to be found all over the venue. Some attractions require a 2011 Pegasus Pin admission, but some activities are completely free. Most are open from 11:00 a.m. until the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. The 2011 show is sponsored by Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer and UPS.

Some of the activities include:

Thunder on the North Great Lawn – 2011 Pegasus Pin admission. Opens at 9 a.m., featuring food, Beer Garden and Thunder Sound. (The rest of Waterfront Park, excepting the North Great Lawn, will open at 7 a.m. on Thunder Day) (NO TENTS, STAKES, TAPE OR PETS.)

Thunder at the Chow Wagon – 2001 Pegasus Pin admission. Opens at 11 a.m., featuring food and a Beer Garden.  (NO FOOD, DRINK, TENTS, STAKES, TAPE OR PETS.)

West Belvedere Beer Garden and viewing area – 2011 Pegasus Pin admission.

Tumbleweed Boomtown: A venue for Thunder viewing at Tumbleweed Southwest Grill on the Waterfront, 1201 River Road. Outside activities include kids play areas, food, beer garden, Thunder sound system, Gatlinburg Tourism Rock Wall and more! FREE ADMISSION to the public. No COOLERS OR PETS. For information call (502) 618-8323 or www.TumbleweedBoomtown.com.

McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana is featuring the McCafe’ Sampling Vehicle, located on the South Great Lawn. Beginning at 2 p.m., patrons are invited to try free samples of McDonald’s Frappes.

The Ford Drive One Tour: The Ford Drive One mobile marketing initiative will feature the latest Ford vehicles and technology; Meijer Mobile Virtual Playground; Planter’s Peanuts Nut Mobile; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Navy Flight Simulator, Air Force Stealth Tour; AH64 Helicopter and much more.

Kid’s Play Areas: The interactive attractions on the South Great Lawn include a Merry-Go-Round, Moon Bounce Obstacle Course, Rock Wall, Super Slide, Ali-Baba Magic Carpet and more.

The Thunder FoodFest will offer a wide variety of tasty treats from more than 115 food vendors from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Chow Wagon, Great Lawn, West Belvedere, and along Witherspoon Street and East River Road. Beer Gardens, with Pegasus Pin admission, will be open at the Chow Wagon, West Belvedere, North Great Lawn and Boomtown at Tumbleweed.

Pegasus Pin trading fans can add to their collections by visiting the following locations on Thunder Day: 3rd and Main streets (NW corner); Witherspoon in front of the Chow Wagon; Preston and River Road; and Preston and Witherspoon (NW corner).

Official Derby Festival Merchandise, including ThunderWear, will be available at the Waterfront Chow Wagon, South Great Lawn, East Great Lawn, 2nd Street and River Road, 3rd Street and River Road, 4th Street and River Road, Preston and Witherspoon, River Road near Boomtown and in Southern Indiana. Merchant Row along Witherspoon will feature vendors selling everything from sunglasses, straw hats and sound-activated shirts to personalized Piggy Banks and hand-drawn caricatures.

Author:
KDF Press Office

More than 500 people will gather for the 53rd annual Fillies Derby Ball presented by LG&E on Friday, April 15, at the Galt House East Hotel. The Fillies, Inc., a volunteer organization that works closely with the Kentucky Derby Festival, are hosts of this formal event, which is themed “Celebrate Kentucky.” The Derby Festival Queen will be chosen by a spin of the wheel, and the Royal Court established with the four remaining Princesses, two Handmaidens, two Pages to the Court and three newly knighted outstanding citizens of the community.

“The Fillies Derby Ball is always a special evening, and particularly exciting for the five Princesses,” said Jenny Jacob, President of the Fillies. “We’re returning to our roots with the theme of celebrating the traditions that make Kentucky so special. We were very fortunate to have the help of 22 students from Oldham County High School who created the life-size painted horses that will decorate the grand hallway to the ballroom.”

Jacob will spin the wheel that will determine the 2011 Derby Festival Queen. By tradition, the Queen will lead the opening dance with 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival Chairman James A. “Ja” Hillebrand. Master of Ceremonies will be Lynda Lambert and George Lindsey of the popular “Lambert & Lindsey” morning radio show on 102.3 The Max. This year’s musical entertainment will be provided by Endless Summer.

The event begins at 7:00 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. The Queen’s Coronation will take place at approximately 9:15 p.m. in the Galt House East Grand Ballroom. New this year, “The Paddock” area will open at 9:30 p.m. for after-dinner socializing. Tickets to “The Paddock” cost $70 and include appetizers, dessert and dancing. Proceeds from the event benefit the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation. The Fillies Derby Ball is sponsored by LG&E; contributing sponsors of the Ball are Brown-Forman and 102.3 The Max.

Derby Festival Princesses are chosen through a self-nominating process. Five young women are then chosen through an interview process to serve as ambassadors to the community for the Kentucky Derby Festival. Along with the newly crowned Queen, the Court will attend nearly all events associated with the Kentucky Derby Festival and the Kentucky Derby itself.

The 2011 Royal Court includes: Caitlin Carter of Big Spring, Ky., a junior majoring in Agriculture/Mass Communications at Western Kentucky University; Katie Huber of Glasgow, Ky., a graduate student attending the University of Louisville School of Medicine; Trisha Maclin of Marion, Ky., a senior majoring in English/Political Science at the University of Louisville; Laura Don Oliver of Princeton, Ky., a senior majoring in Chemistry at the University of Louisville; and Lauren Smith of Lexington, Ky., a senior majoring in Political Science/Economics at the University of Kentucky. More information about the Royal Court is available online at www.derbyfestival.org.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that Congressional Medal of Honor recipients Hershel “Woody” Williams and Don Jenkins will serve as the official “Thundernators” for the Thunder Over Louisville show, the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies. Williams is a World War II veteran now living in West Virginia; Jenkins is a Vietnam War veteran residing in Quality, Ky. At approximately 9:29 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, Williams and Jenkins will provide the Thunder countdown and “zero” ignition to activate the Thunder launch system sequence in the Command Center at the Galt House Hotel.

“We’re tremendously honored to have these two American heroes serve as Thundernators for the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest honor presented by the U.S. military and most were presented posthumously. The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon an individual by the passing of a Joint Resolution in the Congress. These two courageous men have gone well above and beyond the call of duty in serving their country and we couldn’t be more humbled to have them take part in the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies.”

The men’s appearance at Thunder is a prequel to the annual 2011 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention that will take place in Louisville Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. During that time, Louisville will welcome all 85 living Medal of Honor Recipients. The event marks the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Medal of Honor in 1861 by President Abraham Lincoln.

Thunder Over Louisville – the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies – is one of nearly 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The 2011 Thunder Over Louisville, themed “Thunder Power,” is set for Saturday, April 16, and will be the 22nd annual production. The show is sponsored by Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer and UPS.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce the launch of its NEW SMARTPHONE APP for the 2011 Festival.  Derby Festival fans with a SmartPhone can download the new 2011 Derby Festival App from the iTunes Store or Droid Marketplace.

Customers will be able to personalize their KDF experience by clicking on their favorite events and adding them to a section called “My SuperFest.” Just go to that screen for a list of events that you’re interested in. The app allows users to locate and map the Festival events, as well as provides dates and time information for each event.  Photos and videos can also be uploaded.

“This app is a way for us to connect with Festival fans and get them the event information they need at their fingertips,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “As a new SmartPhone user, myself, I’m learning how useful and convenient apps can be.  Now, if you need to find a Derby Festival event –  there’s an app for that.”

The application was developed by the Festival’s advertising agency – CurrentMarketing, Inc.  The app is FREE to download!

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to release the team rosters for the Derby Festival Basketball Classic presented by papajohns.com to be played Friday, April 22, at the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville. The roster includes seven McDonald’s All-Americans, including University of Louisville recruits Wayne Blackshear and Chane Behanan and Indiana University signee Cody Zeller. Nearly all of the players scheduled to participate are ranked among the Top 100 nationally by recruiting service Rivals.com. The players will also participate in the Night of Future Stars on Thursday, April 21, at Bellarmine University’s Knights Hall.  (Click here to see rosters.)

The University of Louisville recruits in this year’s Basketball Classic are Blackshear, Behanan, Angel Nunez and Zach Price. The other McDonald’s All-Americans on the Basketball Classic roster are: Quinn Cook (Duke), Branden Dawson (Michigan State), LeBryan Nash (Oklahoma State) and Amir Williams (Ohio State).

“In my 25 years of recruiting players for the Basketball Classic, this is the highest caliber roster we’ve ever had,” said Recruiting Chair Dan Owens. “These are future college and NBA stars who will bring a special excitement to the first Classic game played in the new arena. This year’s Basketball Classic promises to be an incredible game.”

The Derby Festival Basketball Classic is presented by papajohns.com. The contributing sponsors are 99.7 WDJX and Reebok (Official Apparel Partner); the supporting sponsor is The Rock (Basketball Equipment Partner). Said Les Lombardi, Vice President of Marketing for The Rock Basketball: “We are really excited about adding the Derby Festival Basketball Classic to our collection of the nation’s best basketball events. It’s great to know that the top high school players in the country will be using ‘The Rock’ for their games.” The media partner is FOX 41 TV and SLAM Magazine.

Admission to the Night of Future Stars is free with a ticket to the Basketball Classic. Some of the event’s most exciting moments have occurred during the Slam Dunk, 2-on-2 and 3-Point Shooting competitions. There will also be a one-hour autograph-signing session following the event.

ON SALE NOW, Basketball Classic tickets are $16 (includes $1 facility fee) and are available at TicketMaster locations (www.ticketmaster.com), by phone (800-745-300) or the KFC Yum! Center box office (502-690-9090).

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival announced the Grand Marshals and Honorary Grand Marshals for the 2011 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade at a press conference this morning at the Festival’s headquarters.

Four Congressional Medal of Honor recipients will serve as Grand Marshals of the parade on Thursday, May 5. The Grand Marshals are: World War II veteran Hershel “Woody” Williams of West Virginia; Korean War veteran Ernie West of Russell, Ky.; Vietnam War veteran Gary Littrell of Henderson, Ky; and Vietnam War veteran Don Jenkins of Quality, Ky.  The members of Bellarmine University’s NCAA Division II men’s national champion basketball team will serve as Honorary Grand Marshals of the Pegasus Parade.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Heroic Adventures” and ties in to the overall theme for the 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival = “SuperFest” – which celebrates TV, movie and comic book Superheroes, as well as heroic individuals from our own community.

“We’re tremendously honored to have these four American heroes serve as Grand Marshals of this year’s Republic Bank Pegasus Parade,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest honor presented by the U.S. military and most were presented posthumously. The Medal of Honor is bestowed upon an individual by the passing of a Joint Resolution in the Congress. Our four Grand Marshals have gone well above and beyond the call of duty in serving their country and we couldn’t be more humbled to have them appear in the Pegasus Parade.”

The men’s appearance in the parade is a prequel to the annual 2011 Louisville Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention from September 28th through October 2nd.  During that time, Louisville will welcome all 85 living Medal of Honor Recipients.  The event marks the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Medal of Honor in 1861 by President Abraham Lincoln.

The Bellarmine University NCAA Division II men’s national champion basketball team finished with a 33-2 record, and went 17-1 in their conference. This is the first national championship for Bellarmine University in any sport.

“It’s a tremendous honor for Bellarmine’s basketball team to be a part of one of the greatest spectacles in all of sport – the Kentucky Derby Festival.” Said Coach Davenport.  “Participating in the Pegasus Parade will be a humbling experience and at the same time an outstanding opportunity to thank people throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana for their great support during and after our national championship run.” (Coach Davenport was unable to attend the press conference because he is in Houston to accept the NCAA Div. II National Coach of the Year Award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches.  Assistant Coach Drew Cooper, Senior Forrest Smallwood, Senior Justin Benedetti, Freshman Hayden Simon and Sophomore Ritchie Phares attended to accept the honor.)

Tickets for the 2011 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade cost $9 for bleacher seating, $11 for chair seating and $26 for review stand seating and are available by calling (502) 584-FEST or online at www.derbyfestival.org.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce a new venue for four of the five U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great BalloonFest events in 2011. The U.S. Bank Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race, Great Balloon Glow and Great Balloon Race will be held at Bowman Field. The Rush-Hour Race and Balloon Glow will take place on Friday, April 29; the Great Balloon Race is scheduled for Saturday, April 30. On Thursday, April 28, the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Tour will fly into the campus of Indiana University Southeast and the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glimmer will be held at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.

“We’re very excited about Bowman Field hosting three of the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest events,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “Bowman is centrally located, with easy access from the Watterson Expressway and Interstate 64. We’ll also have an entrance for pedestrians off Pee Wee Reese Road, so it will be a great opportunity for residents of nearby neighborhoods to walk to the venue from their homes. Gates will open at 6 p.m. for the Great Balloon Glow, so we’re hoping families will come out early, have a picnic dinner and make an evening out of it.”

Admission to the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow on April 29 is a 2011 Pegasus Pin; parking at Bowman Field is $5 per vehicle (cash only). Admission to Bowman Field for the U.S. Bank Great Rush-Hour Race on April 29 and the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race on April 30 is a 2011 Pegasus Pin; parking is free for both events. Parking “rain checks” for Bowman Field will be issued if the Balloon Glow or either of the races is postponed due to weather conditions. Pegasus Pins will be available at the entrance gate for $5. Food and drink concessions, along with a children’s play area, will be featured.

The Great BalloonFest is sponsored by U.S. Bank. Arison Insurance Services, Inc. and the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County are contributing sponsors.

April 28:    5 PM.  U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Tour.  NEW LOCATION: Indiana University Southeast.

8:30 PM.  U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.

Contributing Sponsor:  Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

April 29:    7 AM.  U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race.  NEW LOCATION: Bowman Field.

9 PM.  U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow.  NEW LOCATION: Bowman Field.  Gates open at 6 PM.

$5 parking fee (cash only). Contributing Sponsor: New Country Q103.1.  Broadcast on WBKI-TV.

April 30:    7 AM.  U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Race.  NEW LOCATION: Bowman Field.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Derby Festival will put the latest in spring fashions in a runway setting at the Derby Festival Spring Fashion Show presented by American Founders Bank on Thursday, March 31.  The event in the Showroom of Horseshoe Southern Indiana starts with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and runway show at 8 p.m.

The event is themed “Super Chic” and guests can expect to see style unlike any other Derby Festival Fashion Show.  This year’s event will feature outfits and accessories by: Stein Mart, Joseph Ribkoff at the Willow Tree, Fashion Bug, Rosie’s Consignment Boutique, Regiss Bridal, The Willow Tree, Clodhoppers, Olivia & Co., Ribbon + Rags, Rodeo Drive, Sisters and Boutique Serendipity. Some of the Festival’s Official Products will also be featured, including hats by The Willow Tree, handbags and accessories by Divas, designer eyewear from The Eye Care Institute, and hair and makeup by Hair by Bennie and Friends. Official 2011 Derby Festival merchandise will be on sale at the event.  For the first time in the event’s history, the show will be aired on television in a delayed broadcast on WBKI-TV, Saturday, April 2nd at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the show are still available.  Call (502) 584-FEST or purchase online at www.derbyfestival.org, or visit either American Founders Bank Louisville locations.  Reserved seating tickets are $590 for a table of 10 and $59 individually.  New in 2011, there will also be a “Lounge” ticket available for $35.  This ticket includes general admission seating in the 2nd floor lounge area (wine and appetizers will be served).

The Festival is pleased to welcome a NEW presenting sponsor for the annual Spring Fashion Show – American Founders Bank. Stein Mart and 102.3 The Max return as contributing sponsors, joining newcomers Joseph Ribkoff at the Willow Tree, Horseshoe Southern Indiana and WBKI-TV Louisville’s CW.

First produced in 1990, the Kentucky Derby Festival Fashion Show was originally conceived as a venue for unveiling the new Board of Director’s uniform, the teal Pegasus jacket.  It was so successful, the Board of Directors decided to make it a permanent addition to the Festival schedule. Thanks to the support of many retailers, the Spring Fashion Show has become THE fashion show for the season.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that Good Morning America Weather Anchor Sam Champion will be the guest speaker for the 55th annual They’re Off! Luncheon on Friday, April 15. Champion will address more than 1,800 Festival supporters and patrons in attendance for this grand community tradition, which begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House East Hotel, site of the festive event since 1974.

Sam Champion is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Broadcast News while interning at WKYT-TV in Lexington. Prior to joining WABC-TV in New York City, he was a weekend weather anchor and news reporter at WPSD-TV in Paducah, Ky. Champion joined ABC News in September, 2006, where he has covered weather and environmental stories, including a 20/20 special chronicling the tornado that devastated Parkersburg, Iowa, in 2008, and the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last year.

“Sam Champion brings a highly personalized and professional approach to his reporting that is enjoyed by millions of television viewers across the country,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “We’re very excited to have such a talented broadcast veteran with deep Kentucky roots as speaker of this year’s They’re Off! Luncheon. Sam is well known for his pioneering on-site reporting from a variety of locales and we feel sure he’ll have some very entertaining stories to relate to the luncheon audience.”

First held in 1957, the second year of the Derby Festival, the They’re Off! Luncheon serves as the time-honored kick-off to each year’s Festival. Erving joins Dick Vitale, Terry Bradshaw, Bill Walton, Greg Gumbel, Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, Larry King, Bob Costas, Robin Roberts, Cawood Ledford, Phil Simms and Howard Cosell in a long list of luminaries who have entertained They’re Off! Luncheon audiences for the past 55 years.

Tickets for the event cost $76 each or $608 for a table of eight and are available on a very limited basis. For tickets or more information, call (502) 584-FEST. The Luncheon is sponsored by Norton Healthcare. The contributing sponsor for the event is Business First.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The theme for the 56th annual Republic Bank Derby Festival Pegasus Parade was announced tonight at a special event for the participating floats and inflatable units at the Louisville Zoo.  “Heroic Adventures” will be the theme for the Derby Festival’s oldest event, which will feature approximately 100 units on Thursday, May 5.  The parade theme is a tie-in to the overall theme for the 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival – “SuperFest” – which celebrates TV, movie and comic book Superheroes, as well as heroic individuals from our own community.

“This year’s Republic Bank Pegasus Parade will pay tribute to those iconic Superheroes that have become so familiar in popular culture,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “You’ll see floats and inflatable characters creatively designed to reflect the theme and some special recognition of real-life hometown heroes. It promises to be a colorful and lively parade that will be entertaining for spectators of all ages.”

The parade theme will be used by sponsoring companies to help direct the building of floats and costuming of the inflatable handlers and crew. The floats compete for various awards based on originality, eye appeal, theme representation, animation, attention to detail and enthusiasm. Marching bands use the theme to help with musical selection and it is the basis of costume and concept design for the other marching units. The annual spectacle marches west on Broadway from Campbell to Ninth Street.

The 2011 Parade will feature at least 11 floats, many of them built by the employees of the companies sponsoring them. The following companies drew for their float position in the parade at tonight’s event, as well as the sponsors of the six participating inflatable character balloons.

Floats: 

CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center

City of St. Matthews

Down Syndrome of Louisville

Grand Lodge of Kentucky

Hwang’s Martial Arts

Kosair Charities/Kosair Shriners

Louisville Zoo

Norton Healthcare

Second Chance@Life

Spider-Man

The Fillies, Inc.

Inflatables:

AAA Kentucky….”Otto the Auto”

Horseshoe Southern Indiana….”Horseshoe”

Jefferson Community & Technical College….”Race Horse”

LG&E…. “Louie the Lightning Bug”

Republic Bank ….”Absolutely Pegasus”

ZirMed, Inc. …. “Super Grover”

Spectators will have an opportunity to preview each float at the Republic Bank Derby Festival Parade Preview Party on Tuesday, May 3, at the Kentucky Exposition Center, in South Wing C. This event will offer a taste of nearly the entire parade. Character balloons, equestrian units and assorted VIPs will join the floats on display for the indoor tour “inside” a parade. Admission is a 2011 Pegasus Pin.

Tickets for the Parade are on sale now online at www.derbyfestival.org or by calling the Derby Festival Hotline at (502) 584-FEST. Ticket prices are $9 for bleacher seats, $11 chair seating and $26 review stand seats.

The very first Festival event in 1956, the Pegasus Parade remains a community favorite. Tickets sell out quickly and thousands of families come downtown to enjoy the parade. This single-day event has an estimated economic impact of $14 million.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Members of the American Wine Society will be in Louisville on Friday to judge the best vino from wineries around Kentucky and Indiana.  The judging will begin at 10 AM on Friday, March 25, at the Brown Hotel in the Broadway A Room.

Just like a good bottle of wine, the Derby Festival Wine Competition only gets better with age. This year we have 121 wine varietals from 18 Kentucky and Indiana wineries. The wines will be judged in one of several different categories:  White or Red Native American, Hybrid or Vinifera, Non-Grape or Dessert wine.  This is the 5th year for this professional judging to take place as part of the Derby Festival WineFest preparations.

The judging panel is composed of 18 experts from the American Wine Society who will use their experience to score the wines based on appearance, bouquet, taste/texture, aftertaste and overall impression.  Since the wines are judged on a points scale it is possible to have multiple gold, silver and bronze winners in a given category.

The winning wine makers will see the fruits of their labor – as they promote their wine as the best in the region and tote the prestige that comes with winning the award.

Participating vineyards to be judged:

Acres of Land Winery – Richmond, KY

Brooks Hill Winery – Brooks, KY

Chrisman Mill Vineyards & Winery- Nicholasville,KY

Elk Creek Vineyards – Owenton, KY

Equus Run Vineyards – Midway, KY

Generation Hill Winery – Alexandria, KY

Horseshoe Bend Vineyard and Winery – Willisburg, KY

Huber’s Orchard & Winery – Borden, IN

Indian Creek Winery – Georgetown, IN

Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery – Lawrenceburg, KY

MillaNova Winery – Shepherdsville, KY

Orchard Creek Vineyards-Owenton,KY

Prodigy Vineyards & Winery – Frankfort, KY

Purple Toad Winery – Paducah, KY

River Bend Winery – Louisville, KY

StoneBrook Winery – Melbourne, KY

Talon Winery – Lexington, KY

Wight-Meyer Vineyard & Winery – Shepherdsville, KY

Some of the winners may be found at the seventh annual Kentucky Proud Derby Festival WineFest set for Tuesday, May 3, and Wednesday, May 4, at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront in a tented venue.  The WineFest will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both days.  This year’s WineFest will feature 17 wineries from Kentucky and Indiana sampling 99 different varietals.   Tickets are $35 and available online at www.derbyfestival.org or by calling (502) 584-FEST. Kentucky Derby Festival WineFest is sponsored by Kentucky Proud. Contributing sponsors are Today’s Woman and Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The 2011 McDonald’s Thunder Funder program, which helps raise funds for the 2011 Thunder Over Louisville Air and Fireworks show, is underway. McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana is the title sponsor of the program for the sixth consecutive year. Ninety-seven area McDonald’s restaurants will donate a portion of their 32-ounce soft drink and ice tea sales revenue to help support Thunder. The promotion coincides with their $1.00 drink campaign and runs through April 18.  The 32-ounce drinks come in a commemorative Thunder cup.

In addition, the Thunder Preview Party – which is part of the McDonald’s Thunder Funder initiative – will be held Thursday, April 7, at the Central American Airways Flying Service hangar at Bowman Field. The event features a special preview of Thunder Day activities and will help the public “gear up” for the 2011 Derby Festival.

The hangar will be open to the public from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature planes on display, a children’s interactive area, helicopter rides and a display of the large American flag that will be showcased during the Thunder Air Show, as well as the sale of 2011 Official Kentucky Derby Festival merchandise. Military and civilians pilots will be on hand to meet the public, along with the Thunder Over Louisville crew, including producer Wayne Hettinger. Food concessions will be available; admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin or McDonald’s Thunder Funder Cup (available at area McDonald’s Restaurants).

“We are extremely grateful that McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana has returned as sponsor of the Thunder Funder Program for an unprecedented sixth year in a row,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Derby Festival. “The support provided by the area McDonald’s Restaurants is extremely important to funding Thunder Over Louisville.  We encourage Thunder fans to patronize McDonald’s Restaurants as their way of helping fund Thunder. Over the past five years, the McDonald’s Thunder Funder program helped to raise close to raise nearly half a million dollars for Thunder Over Louisville.”

Thunder Over Louisville – the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies – is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The 2011 Thunder Over Louisville, themed “Thunder Power,” is set for Saturday, April 16, and will be the 22nd annual production. The show is sponsored by Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer and UPS.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival’s 39th edition of Pegasus Pins officially go on sale TODAY at more than 1,000 retail outlets and participating financial institutions. Pins cost $4 at retail locations and $5 at KDF event gate admission. Returning this year, for families on a budget, are Family Fun Packs of five pins that will be available at retail locations for $16.

The 2011 pin design features the Festival’s overall theme – “SuperFest” –  with the metallic superhero shield icon in the center, offset on each side with a pair of Pegasus wings.  Each pin envelope contains one of the pins in five different colors (red, white, blue, yellow and green).

This year, inside each pin envelope is a membership card with a “scratch-off” bar that hides a unique 12-digit alphanumeric code.  Pin purchasers will use this code to register online at www.pegasuspins.com.  After registering, they’ll receive 4 coupons, sent to their e-mail.  Plus, those who don’t find a gold pin, will have an opportunity to play a “Spin and Win” game online to become an instant winner. Every Pegasus Pin Envelope also contains a 15% off discount from Ashley Furniture HomeStore.

In addition to a pin and coupons online, each Pegasus Pin Sponsor has the chance to win prizes if they find a Gold Instant Win Pin in their envelope. The odds of finding a gold pin this year are 1 in 30, with 10,000 of these pins in circulation. Gold Pin Winners can register their gold pins to win one of 12 Grand Prizes (including a 2011 Honda CRV sponsored by Kentuckiana Honda Dealers and a $2,500 Furniture Package from Ashley Furniture HomeStore).

Pin purchasers who do not have access to a computer can come to the Derby Festival office during normal business hours to register their pins and receive coupons.  They can also visit Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville during its nine-day run.

Started as an awareness campaign for the not-for-profit civic celebration in 1973, the plastic pins are now one of four primary sources of funding the Derby Festival events.  It has become a way for the community to have ownership in the Festival and show their pride in the region’s largest celebration.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce its national concert lineup for Kroger’s Festival on the Waterfront for the 2011 Derby Festival. Admission to all shows is a 2011 Pegasus Pin. On Saturday, Aprll 30, alternative rockers Soul Asylum will perform a set of its greatest hits for the Sonic Saturday show at 9 p.m. (Admission to Soul Asylum is free to any runner with a finisher’s medal from that day’s Derby Festival Marathon/miniMarathon presented by Walmart.)

Celebration Sunday on May 1 features a trio of Christian rock bands – Rush of Fools at 5 p.m.; Downhere at 6 p.m.; and Building 429 at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, May 3, the RhythmFest show kicks off at 8 p.m. with The Dazz Band, followed by The SOS Band. On Wednesday, May 4, alt-country performer Todd Snider will appear at 8 p.m. Tune It Up Thursday on May 5 will feature Kentucky rockers Cage the Elephant in concert at 8 p.m. The Derby Eve Jam on Friday, May 6, will close out the week’s musical entertainment with a performance by country star Justin Moore at 8 p.m.

2011 Kentucky Derby Festival National Concert Schedule at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront:

Saturday, April 30

DERBY FESTIVAL SONIC SATURDAY FEATURING SOUL ASYLUM.  9 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Contributing Sponsor: 100.5 Gen X Radio. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Sunday, May 1

DERBY FESTIVAL CELEBRATION SUNDAY WITH 88.5 WJIE.  11 AM – 11 PM Family activities.  5 PM Rush of Fools. 6 PM Downhere.  7 PM  Building 429.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Christian contemporary concert.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Sponsor:  88.5 WJIE.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Tuesday, May 3

DERBY FESTIVAL RHYTHMFEST FEATURING THE S.O.S BAND AND THE DAZZ BAND.  8 PM Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Sponsors:  Kroger and Miller Lite. Contributing Sponsors:  B96.5 FM and MAGIC 101.3.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Wednesday, May 4

DERBY FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY CONCERT FEATURING TODD SNIDER.  8 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Sponsor: 91.9 WFPK. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Thursday, May 5

DERBY FESTIVAL TUNE IT UP THURSDAY CONCERT FEATURING CAGE THE ELEPHANT.  8 PM.  Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Contributing Sponsor:  93.1 The Fox.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Friday, May 6

DERBY FESTIVAL DERBY EVE JAM FEATURING JUSTIN MOORE.  8 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront.  Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin.  Contributing sponsors:  New Country Q103.1 and Country Legends 103.9.  (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)

Author:
KDF Press Office

Emily Keaton of Pike County won her second consecutive Kentucky Derby Festival Spelling Bee today by correctly spelling “ankylosaur” – an armor-plated dinosaur – at the PNC Club at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Second-place finisher Priyanka Sheth, the 2009 Derby Festival Spelling Bee champion, misspelled “ephedrine” to set up Keaton’s winning word. Keaton is a sixth-grade student at Christ Central School in Pikeville, Ky. She finished third in the 2009 KDF Spelling Bee. Sixty-two students from Kentucky and Southern Indiana participated in today’s Spelling Bee, going through 216 words before determining a champion.

“If I had to guess at any of the words today, it was my best educated guess,” said Keaton, 12. “I practice (spelling) any time I have free time. I got the word ‘sclerosis’ today, which I won on last year, so I thought that was a pretty good sign. It definitely helps to have the experience of being in the Spelling Bee before.”

Keaton received a $10,000 savings bond for winning, as well as a Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Amazon.com gift card and a trophy. She will also have the opportunity to ride on the Winner’s Float in the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade on May 5. The Derby Festival Spelling Bee is sponsored by Kentucky Farm Bureau with contributing sponsors 84WHAS and the University of Louisville.

Gavon Mullins of Scott County, Ky., finished fifth for the second year in a row, winning a $1,000 savings bond. Yue Zhang, representing Jefferson County Public Schools, finished fourth and received a $1,500 savings bond. Madison Harris of Carter County, Ky., finished third for the second year in a row, winning a $3,000 savings bond. Sheth received a $5,000 savings bond for finishing runner-up in the 18th annual competition.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that WDRB FOX 41 will offer live television coverage of the Derby Festival Basketball Classic presented by papajohns.com on Friday, April 22 at 7 p.m.  Fox 41 will broadcast the game in full high definition.

This year’s game roster includes seven McDonald’s All-Americans, including University of Louisville recruits Wayne Blackshear and Chane Behanan and Indiana University signee Cody Zeller. Nearly all of the players scheduled to participate are ranked among the Top 100 nationally by recruiting service Rivals.com. The players will also participate in the Night of Future Stars on Thursday, April 21, at Bellarmine University’s Knights Hall.

“Of all the Derby Festival events, the Basketball Classic is probably the one that mirrors the one, true passion of Kentuckians better than any other,” said WDRB President and General Manager Bill Lamb, “and this game generates an incredible amount of interest year after year because of the opportunity it provides to see the future stars of our local universities in action for the first time. I’m sure the YUM! Center will be filled with fans, but I’m also sure there’ll be plenty more people who will appreciate the chance to follow the action live on TV. And with the telecast being done in HD, they’ll feel as if they’re there in person.”

Said Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry: “Broadcasting the game live on Fox 41 will allow more fans than ever to get a sneak peek at players who will become household names within the next couple of years. We’re very excited about being able to showcase these stars-in-the-making in the nation’s finest arena, as well as on live local television.”

First held in 1973, the Derby Festival Basketball Classic is the second-oldest continuously-held high school all-star game in the nation. In 1987, the Classic set a record for attendance with a crowd of 19,041 at Freedom Hall. The event is not unlike the NBA All-Star weekend, with spotlights and lively music.

The Derby Festival Basketball Classic has showcased some of the nation’s finest high school talent before the players move onto to stardom at the collegiate and professional levels. Players such as Jamal Mashburn, Moses Malone, Rex Chapman, Pervis Ellison, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, Darrell Griffith, Derek Anderson, Anfernee Hardaway and Michael Beasley have starred in the Classic.

WDRB-TV is a long-time partner of the Derby Festival and has telecast other events such as Thunder Over Louisville in 2007 and 2008, as well as the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow in 2009. WDRB Sports Director Tom Lane and reporters John Lewis and Pat Doney will provide play-by-play and commentary for the game.

Tickets to the game are available through TicketMaster at www.ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000 and the KFC Yum! Center box office at (502) 690-9090. Tickets to the Classic game also allow free admission to the Derby Festival Night of Future Stars to be held on Thursday, April 21, at Bellarmine University’s Knights Hall.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The 18th annual Kentucky Derby Festival Spelling Bee Finals will be held this Saturday, March 19, at the PNC Club at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Starting at 11 a.m., 64 students from Kentucky and Southern Indiana counties will compete for bragging rights and savings bonds.  The overall champion of this year’s Spelling Bee will receive a $10,000 savings bond.  The next four top finishers will also receive savings bonds – $5,000 for second place, $3,000 for third, $1,500 for fourth and $1,000 for fifth. The prize money will be provided by the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation – the Derby Festival’s charitable arm. The 64 qualifiers represent 61 different counties.

“The Spelling Bee is always an exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking event, for both participants and their families,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Derby Festival. “Spelling is a skill that never goes out of style, so we’re very happy to be able to support these outstanding students and showcase their skills. Thanks to our sponsors, this promises to be another exciting competition.”

2010 Spelling Bee Champ, Emily Keaton, will return in 2011 to defend her title.  The sixth-grader from Pikeville, Ky., correctly spelled “sclerosis” (a hardening of tissue or other anatomical features) to win the 2010 statewide competition, beating out 56 other contestants.

In addition to a $10,000 saving bond, the overall Spelling Bee Champion will receive a Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, an Amazon.com gift card and a trophy. The winner will also have the opportunity to ride the Winner’s Float in the 56th annual Republic Bank Pegasus Parade on May 5. The Derby Festival Spelling Bee is sponsored by Kentucky Farm Bureau, with contributing sponsors University of Louisville and 84WHAS.

The Derby Festival Spelling Bee was added to the Derby Festival’s event schedule in 1994 and was sponsored by Kentucky Farm Bureau, which has been a sponsor of the bee every year since.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Bon Appetit, nothing is sweeter than giving!  Hold on tight for a night of philanthropy and fun with great food for a great cause!  Celebrating its 24th year, the Dare to Care Food Bank “Taste of Derby Festival” will be held Wednesday, April 20th, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Pavilion at Louisville Slugger Field. Sponsored by Brown-Forman Corporation, the “Taste of Derby Festival” is one of the most popular events of the Kentucky Derby Festival and the largest fundraising event for Dare to Care Food Bank.

Sample extraordinary fare from over 50 of the Louisville’s finest restaurants and beverage companies!  Guests will experience good food, bourbon tasting, and wine tasting.  The “Best Bloody Mary Contest”, won by Bluegrass Brewing in 2010 is sponsored by Finlandia Vodka.  Bluegrass Brewing is returning to try and reclaim the title for the second year in a row.   Last year, the “People’s Choice Award” was won by Bonefish Grill with their famous Saucy Shrimp.  Join us and vote for your favorite restaurant in 2011!

Attendees will be eligible to participate in a silent auction with items donated from all over Kentuckiana.  Come and enjoy the Kentucky Derby Festival’s exquisite “Taste of Derby Festival” event.

Tickets are $75 each ($50 of which may be tax deductible) and may be purchased online at www.tasteofderbyfestival.org or by calling Dare to Care Food Bank at 966-3821.  All proceeds stay local to help struggling Kentuckiana families. NO TICKETS will be sold at the door and admission is restricted to 21 years of age and over.  Buy your tickets now – The “Taste of Derby Festival” is always a sell-out event.

In 2010, Dare to Care Food Bank helped more than 190,000 people in Kentuckiana.  Dare to Care partners with more than 300 food pantries, emergency kitchens and shelters in eight Kentucky and five Indiana counties.  To learn more about our programs, visit the web site at www.daretocare.org.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is taking its Pegasus Pin Program online in 2011 with a new website – www.pegasuspins.com.  The site and 39th edition of Pegasus Pins were unveiled by Derby Festival officials this morning.

This year, inside each pin envelope is a membership card with a “scratch-off” bar that hides a unique 12-digit alphanumeric code.  Pin purchasers will use this code to register online at www.pegasuspins.com.  After registering, they’ll receive 4 coupons, sent to their e-mail.  Plus, those who don’t find a gold pin, will have an opportunity to play a “Spin and Win” game online to become an instant winner.

“After you purchase your Pegasus Pin, Pegasuspins.com is your one-stop shop,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival.  “It has everything you need to register your pin, pick the coupons you want and have a chance to win more prizes.  Plus, that one pin allows you free admission into more than half of the Derby Festival’s 2011 events. We think it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Registering online can be done in five easy steps:  Step 1) Register your pin by entering the alphanumeric code from your pin card; Step 2) Select two discount coupons from 11 participating retailers (in addition to getting two coupons for Derby Festival merchandise or events); Step 3) Super-fy your pin by entering additional information about yourself; Step 4) Play the Spin and Win Game to become an instant prize winner; and Step 5) Check your email inbox to receive your coupons and print them out.

The Festival also announced a new sponsor of the 2011 Pegasus Pin Program – Ashley Furniture HomeStore.  Every Pegasus Pin Envelope contains a 15% off discount from Ashley Furniture. The pins will be available beginning Monday, March 21, at more than 1,000 retail outlets and participating financial institutions. Pins cost $4 at retail locations and $5 at KDF event gate admission. Returning this year, for families on a budget, are Family Fun Packs of five pins that will be available at retail locations for $16.

Pin purchasers who do not have access to a computer can come to the Derby Festival office during normal business hours to register their pins and receive coupons.  They can also visit Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville during its nine-day run.

The 2011 pin design features the Festival’s overall theme  – “SuperFest” – with the metallic superhero shield icon in the center, offset on each side with a pair of Pegasus wings.  Each pin envelope contains one of the pins in five different colors (red, white, blue, yellow and green).

In addition to a pin and coupons online, each Pegasus Pin Sponsor has the chance to win prizes if they find a Gold Instant Win Pin in their envelope. The odds of finding a gold pin this year are 1 in 30, with 10,000 of these pins in circulation. Gold Pin Winners can register their gold pins to win one of 12 Grand Prizes (including a 2011 Honda CRV sponsored by Kentuckiana Honda Dealers and a $2,500 Furniture Package from Ashley Furniture HomeStore).

Started as an awareness campaign for the not-for-profit civic celebration in 1973, the plastic pins are now one of four primary sources of funding the Derby Festival events.  It has become a way for the community to have ownership in the Festival and show their pride in the region’s largest celebration.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Registration is now SOLD OUT for the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon presented by Walmart to be held on Saturday, April 30. Combined registration for both races has reached the previously announced cap of 15,000 participants, marking the fourth consecutive year that the KDF races have sold out. This means there WILL BE NO LATE REGISTRATION.

Race organizers will offer 250 “Charity Bibs” for runners who missed the registration deadline. The bibs – which allow entry into either the Marathon or miniMarathon – cost $125, with proceeds going to the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, the Derby Festival’s charitable arm. The Charity Bibs will only be available at the Running Wild Race Expo on April 28-29 at the Kentucky International Convention Center.  The bibs will be first-come, first-served starting at 11:00 am on April 28.

“With 15,000 combined registrants for the Marathon and miniMarathon, this year’s Derby Festival races once again represent the largest day of road racing in state history,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “We’ve received great feedback on the course changes that were announced earlier this year. We’re very exciting about showcasing some of downtowns best attractions at the start and finish of this year’s race.”

The races, which will begin simultaneously at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, will start near on Main Street in downtown Louisville (near Louisville Slugger Field) and will finish at Preston and Witherspoon streets, just outside the entrance to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, a 500,000-square-foot entertainment venue located within Waterfront Park.

Walmart is presenting sponsor of the Marathon and miniMarathon. Contributing sponsors are: ASICS, Bluegrass Family Health, Churchill Downs, Courier-Journal Media, Powerade and Subway Restaurants of Kentuckiana. Supporting sponsors are Jewish Sports Medicine, Louisville Water Company and UPS.  The Official Pace Car: MINI OF LOUISVILLE.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Registration is nearly SOLD OUT for the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon presented by Walmart to be held on Saturday, April 30. Combined registration for both races currently exceeds 14,850 participants for the previously announced cap of 15,000 participants. Once registration is capped, there WILL BE NO LATE REGISTRATION available.

There will not be a transfer policy for runners who want to participate in the races but are not registered. However, race organizers will offer 250 “Charity Bibs” for runners who missed the registration deadline. The bibs – which allow entry into either the Marathon or miniMarathon – cost $125, with proceeds going to the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, the Derby Festival’s charitable arm. The Charity Bibs will only be available at the Running Wild Race Expo on April 28-29 at the Kentucky International Convention Center (first-come, first-served).

The races, which will begin simultaneously at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, will start on Main Street in downtown Louisville (near Louisville Slugger Field) and will finish at Preston and Witherspoon streets, just outside the entrance to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, a 500,000-square-foot entertainment venue located within Waterfront Park.

Walmart is presenting sponsor of the Marathon and miniMarathon. Contributing sponsors are: ASICS, Bluegrass Family Health, Churchill Downs, Courier-Journal Media, Powerade and Subway Restaurants of Kentuckiana. Supporting sponsors are Jewish Sports Medicine, Louisville Water Company and UPS.  The Official Pace Car: MINI OF LOUISVILLE.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Tickets to additional Kentucky Derby Festival events may be purchased beginning TODAY.   To purchase tickets call the Derby Festival Box Office at (502) 584-FEST between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or purchase online at www.derbyfestival.org 24 hours/7 days a week.

Tickets to these events will be on sale TODAY:

Fillies Derby Ball NEW Paddock area , April 15 – Galt House East Grand Ballroom

Running Wild Pasta Dinner, April 29- Kentucky International Convention Center

Great Steamboat Race on the Belle of Cincinnati, May 4

Celebrity Luncheon, May 5 – Churchill Downs

Tickets to these events are also still available:

Spring Fashion Show, March 31 – Horseshoe Southern Indiana

Thunder Over Louisville VIP tickets, April 16

Derby Festival Basketball Classic*, April 22 – KFC Yum Center

Kentucky Proud Derby Festival WineFest, May 3 and 4 – Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront

Republic Bank Derby Festival Pegasus Parade, May 5

*Tickets for the Derby Festival Basketball Classic presented by papajohns.com can ONLY be purchased at TicketMaster locations or the KFC Yum! Center box office.  For TicketMaster locations, call (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com or contact the KFC Yum! Center box office at (502) 690-9090.

For tickets to these events, please contact:

Fillies Derby Ball Dinner Tickets (502) 572-3856

Children’s Tea with the Derby Festival Princesses: (502) 451-1258

Taste of Derby Festival® (Benefit for Dare to Care): (502) 966-3821

Knights of Columbus Charity Dinner: (502) 893-2220

TheSlice:  Spice, Style and Soul: (502) 581-8292

100 Black Men of Louisville Derby Gala:  (502) 291-0485

Louisville Urban League Moonlight Cruise: (502) 566-3415

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Derby Festival will put the latest in spring fashions in a runway setting at the Derby Festival Spring Fashion Show presented by American Founders Bank on Thursday, March 31.  The event in the Showroom of Horseshoe Southern Indiana starts with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and runway show at 8 p.m.

The Festival is pleased to welcome a NEW presenting sponsor for the annual Spring Fashion Show – American Founders Bank – who will help Festival welcome spring with all the hottest fashions. American Founders Bank has been a partner on various Festival events since opening in Louisville in 2007. Stein Mart and 102.3 The Max return as contributing sponsors, joining newcomers Joseph Ribkoff at the Willow Tree, Horseshoe Southern Indiana and WBKI-TV Louisville’s CW.

Chris Caswell, Stylist for Louisville Magazine and Louisville Bride, as well as Style Expert for WBKI-TV, is helping style the show this year.  The event is themed “Super Chic” and guests can expect to see style unlike any other Derby Festival Fashion Show.

This year’s fashion show will feature outfits and accessories by: Stein Mart, Joseph Ribkoff at the Willow Tree, Fashion Bug, Rosie’s Consignment Boutique, Regiss Bridal, The Willow Tree, Clodhoppers, Olivia & Co., Ribbon + Rags, Rodeo Drive, Sisters and Boutique Serendipity. Some of the Festival’s Official Products will also be featured, including hats by The Willow Tree, handbags and accessories by Divas, designer eyewear from The Eye Care Institute, and hair and makeup by Hair by Bennie and Friends. Official 2011 Derby Festival merchandise will be on sale at the event.  For the first time in the event’s history, the show will be aired on television in a delayed broadcast on WBKI-TV, Saturday, April 2nd at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the show are on sale now by calling (502) 584-FEST or purchase online at www.derbyfestival.org, or visit either American Founders Bank Louisville locations.  Preferred Seating tickets for the show are $690 for a table of 10 and $69 individually (limited availability); Reserved seating tickets are $590 for a table of 10 and $59 individually. New in 2011, there will also be a “Lounge” ticket available for $35.  This ticket includes general admission seating in the 2nd floor lounge area.

First produced in 1990, the Kentucky Derby Festival Fashion Show was originally conceived as a venue for unveiling the new Board of Director’s uniform, the teal Pegasus jacket.  It was so successful, the Board of Directors decided to make it a permanent addition to the Festival schedule. Thanks to the support of many retailers, the Spring Fashion Show has become THE fashion show for the season.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce the rosters for the Derby Festival Basketball Classic presented by papajohns.com to be played Friday, April 22, at the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville. The roster includes seven McDonald’s All-Americans, including University of Louisville recruits Wayne Blackshear and Chane Behanan and Indiana University signee Cody Zeller. Nearly all of the players scheduled to participate are ranked among the Top 100 nationally by recruiting service Rivals.com. The players will also participate in the Night of Future Stars on Thursday, April 21, at Bellarmine University’s Knights Hall.  (Click here to see the complete roster.)

The University of Louisville recruits in this year’s Basketball Classic are Blackshear, Behanan, Angel Nunez and Zach Price. The other McDonald’s All-Americans on the Basketball Classic roster are: Quinn Cook (Duke), Branden Dawson (Michigan State), LeBryan Nash (Oklahoma State) and Amir Williams (Ohio State).

“In my 25 years of recruiting players for the Basketball Classic, this is the highest caliber roster we’ve ever had,” said Recruiting Chair Dan Owens. “These are future college and NBA stars who will bring a special excitement to the first Classic game played in the new arena. While we currently don’t have any UK signees on the roster, we may add one with an open roster spot. Three of the undecided players in the game are being recruited by UK, so that will give the fans a chance to voice their support. It promises to be an incredible game!”

The Derby Festival Basketball Classic is presented by papajohns.com. The contributing sponsors are 99.7 WDJX and B96.5 FM; the media partner is SLAM Magazine.

Admission to the Night of Future Stars is free with a ticket to the Basketball Classic. Some of the event’s most exciting moments have occurred during the Slam Dunk, 2-on-2 and 3-Point Shooting competitions. There will also be a one-hour autograph-signing session following the event.

ON SALE NOW, Basketball Classic tickets are $16 (includes $1 facility fee) and are available at TicketMaster locations (www.ticketmaster.com), by phone (800-745-300) or the KFC Yum! Center box office (502-690-9090).

First held in 1973, the Derby Festival Basketball Classic presented by papajohns.com is the oldest continuously-held high school all-star game in the nation.

Author:
KDF Press Office

On Tuesday, February 15, Kentucky Derby Festival representatives attended the Louisville Metro Council’s Parks, Libraries, Zoo and Cultural Assets meeting.  KDF took the opportunity to explain the fencing of the North Great Lawn during the 2011 Thunder Over Louisville show.

Click here to watch the meeting.

Click here to see a presentation, including photos and maps of the Thunder Venue.

Click here to see a map of the area fenced in portion of the Thunder venue.  (The area in yellow is the portion of the Thunder venue that is a pin admission.  It includes the Thunder Chow Wagon and North Great Lawn.  The areas in the blue color to the east and west of the great lawn are not a pin admission.)

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Derby Festival is pleased to announce the presenting sponsors of Thunder Over Louisville, the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies, to be held April 16 on the Louisville waterfront. Sponsoring the 2011 Thunder show will be Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer and UPS. In addition to the four presenting sponsors, McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana will return as title sponsor of the McDonald’s Thunder Funder Program.

“This is the fifth consecutive year that the four presenting sponsors of Thunder Over Louisville have returned to help us produce one of the most highly anticipated events in this part of the country,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Derby Festival. “We’re very grateful for generous support of these four sponsors – along with the McDonald’s Thunder Program – that will allow us to once again put on an entire day of entertainment for the whole community. We simply wouldn’t be able to stage the show without their support.”

This is the 21st consecutive year that UPS has been a presenting sponsor of Thunder Over Louisville. Horseshoe Southern Indiana has been a Thunder presenting sponsor for 12 consecutive years; LG&E and Meijer have both been Thunder sponsors for the past five years in a row.

This is the sixth consecutive year that McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana has returned as title sponsor of the Thunder Funder Program, which will help raise funds for the 2011 Thunder Over Louisville show. Ninety-seven area McDonald’s restaurants will donate a portion of their 32-ounce soft drink sales revenue to help support Thunder. The promotion coincides with their $1.00 drink campaign and will run from March 22 through April 18. The 32-ounce drinks come in a commemorative Thunder cup.

In addition, the 2011 McDonald’s Thunder Funder Preview Party will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, at Bowman Field. The event gives attendees a sneak peek at the Thunder show and will feature a McDonald’s playground area, elements of the Thunder Air Show and a pilot “meet and greet.” Admission is free with a 2011 Pegasus Pin or McDonald’s Thunder Funder cup. Over the past four years, the McDonald’s Thunder Funder program helped to raise nearly half a million dollars -for Thunder Over Louisville.

Thunder Over Louisville’s 2011 Official Broadcast Partners are WLKY TV and Cox Radio’s Lite 106.9 WVEZ.

Thunder Over Louisville – the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies – is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The 2011 Thunder Over Louisville, themed “Thunder Power,” is set for Saturday, April 16, and will be the  will be the 22nd annual production. The show is sponsored by Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer and UPS.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Derby Festival is pleased to announce the theme of the 2011 Thunder Over Louisville show on April 16: “Thunder Power.” The Thunder theme ties in with the Festival’s overall theme for 2011, “SuperFest,” which celebrates the cartoon, movie and comic book characters that have become an iconic part of American culture. “Thunder Power” represents the awe-inspiring energy that is showcased by the aerial acts and pyrotechnic spectacle of the seven-hour Thunder Over Louisville show.

“As always, the Thunder Over Louisville show will be spectacular on a number of levels,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Derby Festival. “Thunder Power will provide a roof-rattling experience for the many thousands of people who will converge on the waterfront on April 16. We’ve had great weather for this massive event for the past two years and we hope the third time’s the charm, too.”

Thanks to the generous support of the event’s corporate sponsors – LG&E, Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Meijer and UPS, as well as community McDonald’s Thunder Funders, the Thunder Over Louisville show will once again showcase an exciting array of military and civilian aircraft, as well as elite parachute and demonstration teams. There will also be a variety of on-the-ground activities to keep spectators entertained during the day.

“Thunder Over Louisville will once again deliver a tremendous lineup of entertainment that can be found nowhere else,” said Wayne Hettinger, Thunder Over Louisville producer. “We’re very excited about putting together a soundtrack that will showcase a wide variety songs connected to TV, movie and comic book characters such as Superman, Batman, The Shadow, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Tarzan, Mighty Mouse and many others.”

New this year, admission to the North Great Lawn area of Waterfront Park on Thunder Day will require a 2011 Pegasus Pin, except for children age 6 and under. “The past couple of years we’ve had people creating a land rush to take over large areas of the lawn, which is not fair to other spectators,” said Berry. “Our volunteers, paid staff and local law enforcement will monitor the two entrances to the North Great Lawn and will not allow any tape, rope or pennant lines to mark off space. We encourage people to bring a picnic blanket and lawn chairs for comfort, but not to take up any more space than necessary. This will allow us to maximize this area for prime viewing.”  The policy of no tape, rope or pennant lines and no tents will be enforced throughout the venue.

The Thunder Air Show will feature a wide variety of military and civilian aerial acts, including a F-22 Demo Team, Harrier Demo Team, F-4 Phantom and many others, which are all subject to military deployment. An exciting new act will close the Air Show, the Star Jammer bi-plane. The Star Jammer features more than 10,000 LED lights of all colors and will make for a colorful end to a six-hour Air Show. Thunder on Ground will offer a wide variety of activities for spectators, including displays from such companies as Ford Motor Company and Meijer, as well as interactive military displays.

Thunder Over Louisville – the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies – is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. The 2011 Thunder Over Louisville, themed “Thunder Power,” is set for Saturday, April 16, and will be the  will be the 22nd annual production. The show is sponsored by Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer and UPS.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Derby Festival is pleased to announce some major changes to the race courses for the 2011 Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon presented by Walmart. For the first time, both races will start and finish in downtown Louisville. Runners will start the races on Main Street, alongside Louisville Slugger Field, and will finish just outside the entrance to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville venue at Preston and Witherspoon streets. Both races will start at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30.

“The course changes are as a result of the feedback we received from surveying runners about what they liked and didn’t like about the route,” said Mike Berry, President and CEO of the Derby Festival. “We feel like the new course will be more enjoyable for both race participants and spectators. The start line on Main Street will showcase one of the city’s more historic and scenic corridors, and the finish line location will make for an exciting setting as the runners go past a tunnel of fans.”

“Marathon competitors have run through a hilly section of Cherokee Park since 2006, but that portion of the route has been eliminated. While the hilliest part of the course has gone away, runners will continue to go through the beautiful Highlands area surrounding the park. Marathon runners will still run through Iroquois Park and we hope the residents of that area will continue their enthusiastic support. Starting and finishing the races in downtown will eliminate the need for buses to take runners to the start and will allow spectators a much easier opportunity to watch the dramatic wave of runners moving down Main Street.”

Berry said another reason for the course change was to showcase the unique architecture on Main Street, including the Museum Row attractions. Runners in both races will still run a lap inside the infield at Churchill Downs racetrack and will now pass by Central Park and the St. James Court neighborhood. Marathon runners will no longer cross the Second Street Bridge for a segment in Southern Indiana.

“We are grateful for the support of the public going back nearly 40 years with the mini, especially the residents of the South End, who will still be able to cheer on the Marathon competitors,” said Berry. “We’re very excited about starting some new traditions and the opportunity to continue to grow the races. The new course will give spectators more of an opportunity to position themselves along the finishing stretches of the route when runners need their support the most. We hope to offer breakfast-style concessions at Fest-a-Ville, so it should make for a more comfortable and exciting atmosphere for both runners and spectators.”

For the third year in a row, combined registration for both races will be capped at 15,000 participants. The races reached the 15,000 cap in March the past two years, closing registration more than a month before the event. The early registration deadline for the Marathon and mini has been extended to midnight on Feb.14. Entry fees for the mini are currently $50 and $65 for the Marathon. Registration is open online at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com.

The Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon are presented by Walmart. Contributing sponsors are: ASICS, Bluegrass Family Health, Churchill Downs, Courier-Journal Media, Powerade and Subway Restaurants of Kentuckiana. Official Pace Car: MINI OF LOUISVILLE.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The Derby Festival is pleased to announce the theme for the 2011 Derby Festival – “SuperFest.” The theme was released TODAY at 9 a.m. to members of the new Derby Festival Fan Page on Facebook. Those fans tuned in for a special video announcement of the 2011 theme and introduction of a new Festival personality for 2011 – “Super Festival Fan.”

The “SuperFest” theme will celebrate those cartoon, movie and comic book heroes we all know, as well as our hometown heroes from the Festival volunteers to police, fire and EMS workers. The theme was developed through a collaboration between Festival board and staff, and CurrentMarketing, the Festival’s advertising agency. Throughout the day, Festival fans on Facebook will get the first look at various components of the new theme and how it will be incorporated into the 2011 Derby Festival.

“The 2011 theme was born out of the reoccurrence of Super Heroes and comics that have surfaced among children young and old.” said Mike Berry, Derby Festival President and CEO. “Super Heroes transport us to a world of fantasy and excitement and that’s part of the mission of the Derby Festival.  This year’s Festival will bring out the Super Fan in all of us.”

“SuperFestival Fan” joyfully embraces everything that springtime has to offer – especially the 70-plus event Derby Festival celebration. He will make appearances in the Festival’s 2011 TV and radio ad campaign, masked and dressed in heroic attire. His mission is to help spread Festival excitement to the Kentuckiana area by providing “superpower” experiences and insider tips.

“SuperFest” will be featured prominently in advertising, as well as traditional components of the Derby Festival, such its website (www.derbyfestival.org ) and Pegasus Pins. Fans will notice a comic book style design treatment on many Festival promotional materials, plus the use of familiar super hero words and phrases.  It will be reflected in the Festival’s corporate logo for 2011, which features the letter “F” inside a shield, flanked by the Festival’s gold Pegasus wings in bold red, blue and gold color scheme.  In addition, many of the events will have super hero themes, including:  Spring Fashion Show (“Super Chic”), Basketball Classic presented by papajohns.com (“Able to Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound”), U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest (“Up, Up and Away!”) and Marathon/miniMarathon presented by Walmart (“Faster than a Speeding Bullet”), among others to be rolled out in the coming weeks.

To become a member of the Festival’s Fan page, just go to the Derby Festival’s official website – derbyfestival.org, click on the Facebook icon, go to the Derby Festival Facebook Page and click “Like.”

Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation.  It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two- week period.  This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

Author:
KDF Press Office

Tickets for the 39th annual Derby Festival Basketball Classic presented by papajohns.com on Friday, April 22, go on sale TODAY (Friday, Jan. 14). For the first time, the high school All-Star game will be played at the new KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville. The game has been held at Freedom Hall since its inception in 1973. The Derby Festival Night of Future Stars will be held on Thursday, April 21, at Bellarmine University’s Knights Hall. Tickets for the game cost $15 for all seats in the arena, plus a $1 facility fee.

Tickets are available through TicketMaster at www.ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000 and the KFC Yum! Center box office at (502) 690-9090. Tickets to the Classic game also allow free admission to the Derby Festival Night of Future Stars.

“We’re thrilled about moving the Basketball Classic to the spectacular KFC Yum! Center,” said Ja Hillebrand, Chair of the 2011 Derby Festival. “The new venue will add an extra level of excitement for the players, coaches and fans. Not many high school players have had the experience of playing in such a state-of-the-art facility and it should help us attract some of the top high school seniors in the country.”

The Basketball Classic is presented by papajohns.com, with contributing sponsors adidas, B96.5 FM, 99.7 WDJX and SLAM Magazine. First held in 1973, the Derby Festival Basketball Classic is the second-oldest continuously-held high school all-star game in the nation. In 1987, the Classic set a record for attendance with a crowd of 19,041 at Freedom Hall. The event is not unlike the NBA All-Star weekend, with spotlights and lively music.

The Derby Festival Basketball Classic has showcased some of the nation’s finest high school talent before the players move onto to stardom at the collegiate and professional levels.Players such as Jamal Mashburn, Moses Malone, Rex Chapman, Pervis Ellison, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, Darrell Griffith, Derek Anderson, Anfernee Hardaway and Michael Beasley have starred in the Classic.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The five women selected to serve as Princesses in the 2011 Derby Festival’s Royal Court were announced today. They are:

• Caitlin Carter of Big Spring, KY is a junior majoring in Agriculture/Mass Communications at Western Kentucky University. She is a reporter for the College Heights Herald newspaper in Bowling Green and is a member of the Western Kentucky University Honors/College Program.
• Katie Huber of Glasgow, KY is a graduate student attending the University of Louisville School of Medicine. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky, where she was an Otis A. Singletary Scholarship recipient.
• Trisha Maclin of Marion, KY is a senior majoring in English/Political Science at the University of Louisville. She is a McConnell Scholar and was named the University of Louisville’s Most Outstanding Junior student.
• Laura Don Oliver of Princeton, KY is a senior majoring in Chemistry at the University of Louisville. She is a University of Louisville Guaranteed Entrance into Medical School student and a Bonner Leader of the Year
• Lauren Smith of Lexington, KY is a senior majoring in Political Science/Economics at the University of Kentucky. She is a University of Kentucky Student Government Association Senator and an Otis A. Singletary Scholar.

Kara Schultz of Louisville, KY was chosen as the first alternate. Ashley Davis of Jeffersonville, Ind., was chosen as the second alternate. They will become Princesses if one of the other women is unable to serve.

The five young women selected as Princesses will act as ambassadors for the 2011 Derby Festival, attending nearly 70 events over a three-week period. Fifteen were selected as finalists out of the more than 100 original applicants for the five Princess positions, and all attended the final judging this week. None of them knew in advance who had been selected.

The court will represent the Derby Festival and the city of Louisville as official ambassadors for the springtime tradition of the Derby Festival. They will attend nearly every official Derby Festival event beginning with the Your Community Bank Poster Premiere on January 13 to their appearance in the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade on May 5. In addition, they will attend the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and make visits to schools to discuss the importance of volunteerism.

One of the five women will be crowned the Derby Festival Queen by a spin-of-the-wheel at the annual Fillies Derby Ball presented by LG&E on April 15 at the Galt House East Grand Ballroom. Each woman will receive a $2000 scholarship ($1000 from the Fillies and $1000 from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation).

The Derby Festival’s Royal Court Program is coordinated by The Fillies, Inc., a volunteer group that works closely with the Festival. Fillies President Jenny Jacob joined 2011 Derby Festival Chair Ja Hillebrand in crowning the newly appointed court.

Candidates for the Princess Program must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade-point average and are selected by a panel of four out-of-state judges. Criteria for selection includes knowledge of the Derby Festival, poise, intelligence, personality and campus and community involvement. The first Derby Festival Princess was crowned in 1957, the second year of the Festival. Previous Princesses have included former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins and Gail Gorski, the first female pilot ever hired by United Airlines.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The first official event of the 2011 Derby Festival – the Your Community Bank Poster Premiere – will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13, at The Henry Clay, 604 South Third St. The event will be held in conjunction with the Derby Festival Student Art Contest Awards Ceremony, which will take place at 7 p.m. in the Beaux Arts Room at the venue. The evening’s activities will be highlighted by the unveiling of the Derby Festival’s 2011 Official Poster, which was created by Sarah Lynn Richards of Maine.

The 31st annual Poster Premiere is open to the public and will begin at 5:30 p.m., featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary gift for the first 1,000 guests. There will also be a silent auction of framed 2011 Official Posters and the unveiling of 2011 Official Derby Festival Merchandise. Richards will be on hand to sign copies of the 2011 Poster. Tickets for the Premiere are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. They are available to order online at www.derbyfestival.org or by calling (502) 584-FEST. The Poster Premiere is sponsored by Your Community Bank, with contributing sponsors Greater Louisville Inc., New Country Q103.1, The Silver Spoon and United Graphics Printing Group.

For the fifth year in a row, the Poster Premiere will held in conjunction with the Derby Festival Student Art Contest Awards Ceremony. Students with winning entries in the Student Art Contest will be invited to attend the Premiere. The winners will have their artwork displayed at the Poster Premiere. A collage poster of the winning Art Contest entries will be available at the event.

Over the years, the Derby Festival’s Official Poster Series has become a unique symbol of the community. Past designs decorate offices and homes throughout the city. Peter Max’s expressionistic “Bluegrass Pegasus” launched the series in 1981, and a stylistic and geographical mix of artists have been showcased over the years. The signed collector editions continue to significantly increase in value, and the quality of the Poster Series has been recognized worldwide.

Author:
KDF Press Office

One of the Derby Festival’s oldest and most cherished traditions – the announcement of the Royal Court – will be made Monday, Jan. 10, at the Derby Festival office. The five young women selected as members of the Royal Court will act as ambassadors for the 2011 Derby Festival, attending nearly 70 events over a three-week period.

Chosen from more than 100 applicants, the 2011 Royal Court will represent the Derby Festival and the city of Louisville as official ambassadors for the springtime tradition of the Derby Festival. They will attend nearly every official Derby Festival event beginning with the Your Community Bank Derby Festival Poster Premiere on January 13, followed by many more events, including an appearance in the Republic Bank Derby Festival Pegasus Parade on May 5.  In addition, they will attend the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, as well as making visits to schools to discuss the importance of volunteerism.

On April 15, one of the five women will be crowned the Derby Festival Queen at the annual Fillies Derby Ball held at the Galt House East Grand Ballroom. A registered trademark of The Fillies, Inc., the Ball has been the royal kick-off of the Derby Festival since before the modern Festival was formed in 1956.The Queen is selected by the traditional spin-of-the wheel. In her first royal act, the Queen will “knight” individuals to the Court of the Pegasus for their contributions to the community. Each woman will receive a $2000 scholarship ($1000 from the Fillies and $1000 from the Derby Festival Foundation).

The Derby Festival’s Royal Court Program is coordinated by The Fillies, Inc., a volunteer group that works closely with the Festival. Fillies President Jenny Jacob will join 2011 Derby Festival Chair Ja Hillebrand in crowning the newly appointed court.

Candidates for the Royal Court Program must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade-point average and are selected by a panel of four out-of-state judges. Criteria for selection includes knowledge of the Derby Festival, poise, intelligence, personality and campus and community involvement. The first Derby Festival Princess was crowned in 1957, the second year of the Festival. Previous Princesses have included former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins and Gail Gorski, the first female pilot ever hired by United Airlines.

Author:
KDF Press Office

The first meeting for the Derby Festival’s Jewish Sports Medicine Healthy Lifestyle Training Program is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, at Bellarmine University’s Frazier Hall. This free 16-week program is intended to benefit runners training for the Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon Presented By Walmart in April. The program will give runners an opportunity to talk with professionals regarding nutrition, training tips, injury prevention and education.

The Training Program meeting will include distribution of a free training packet and technical shirt for the first 700 attendees; introduction of the race doctor, athletic trainers and nutritionists; an overview of the miniMarathon and Marathon; guest speakers and a question-and-answer session.

Runners can register for the Training Program online at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com. A pre-meeting run schedule, which includes weekly Saturday morning runs, can also be found on the race website. The deadline to sign up for the Training Program is Jan. 31. The Training Program is sponsored by Jewish Sports Medicine with contributing sponsor Swag’s Sport Shoes and 102.3 The Max.

The 38th annual 13.1-mile Derby Festival miniMarathon will be held in conjunction with the tenth annual Derby Festival Marathon, starting at 7:30 a.m. on April 30, 2011. The race route will once again include a lap around the infield at historic Churchill Downs.

Registration for the races is open now at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com. Early race registration fees are $50 for the 13.1-mile mini and $65 for the 26.2-mile Marathon if entered online or postmarked by Jan. 31, 2011.