March 12, 2020. Louisville, KY. – In support of the efforts being taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, the Kentucky Derby Festival is postponing events on the 2020 schedule through April 5.
“This is about public health and safety and at the Derby Festival that is always our top priority,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “We have a responsibility to the community, who has supported the Derby Festival for more than 60 years, to help with this effort.”
The events that will be postponed include:
- Spelling Bee set for Saturday, March 14
- Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Student Art Contest set for Monday, March 16
- Academic Challenge set for Saturday, March 21
- Spring Fashion Show on Thursday, March 26
- FamFest on Friday, April 3
- Fillies Derby Ball on Saturday, April 4
The Festival is contacting participants of all the postponed events to make sure everyone is aware of the changes. Once the events have been rescheduled, the Festival will share that information.
The Festival is also looking at alternatives to race training events and some smaller private events that are scheduled during that time. Processes for event committee and board meetings will be changing, and the Festival staff will be able to work from home as they continue to plan for the 2020 Festival.
Said Gibson, “As we have been over the past several weeks, we will be in constant contact with all our partners in the Mayor’s Office, Governor’s Office, and other agencies to closely monitor the developments and announce any additional changes as needed.”
The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two- week period and has a local economic impact of more than $127 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
