PINK PARTY PLANNED FOR 70TH CELEBRATION
April 24, 2025. Louisville, KY. – The event that started the Kentucky Derby Festival – the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade – steps off THIS SUNDAY, April 27, at 3 p.m. The parade, which is celebrating its 70th march in 2025, will head down Broadway from Campbell to 9th Street, and kick off Derby Week. The theme of this year’s parade is “Happy Derby: Pink Out Party!” to celebrate spring and one of the Festival’s signature colors.
“As we mark the 70th year for the Kentucky Derby Festival’s founding event, we invite participants and spectators alike to get in the spirit of the season and help us paint Broadway pink!” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO. “From marching bands and dance teams to equestrians and floats, the units are what make the parade such a unique and special tradition that brings the community together every spring.”
Zoeller Pump Company has been the Title Sponsor of the Pegasus Parade since 2020. “Zoeller loves the city of Louisville, and we are proud to be partnering with the Kentucky Derby Festival to give this great parade to the city,” said Dwight Newton, Chief People Officer of Zoeller Pump Company. “No matter what, you need to get your pink on and come out on Sunday. The party starts moving down Broadway at 3 p.m.”
VIPs scheduled to appear in the Parade include: Mayor Craig Greenberg, former University of Louisville basketball players Peyton Siva and Stephan Van Treese, 2025 Louisville Hometown Heroes Dr. Kevin Cosby (President of Simmons College and Pastor at St. Stephen Baptist Church) and Ken Clay (a prominent leader in Louisville’s arts community), Dr. Marty Pollio (Superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools), Pat Armstrong (President & CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum), Rebecca Rupp (President of Kern’s Kitchen Derby-Pie®), Kim Perry (2025 Official Derby Festival Poster Artist), Jacey Rhorer (Official Milliner of the Kentucky Derby Festival), Ira Mowman (2025 Derby Burger Champion), and more.
Floats from 8 organizations will be featured: Ballet Folklorico ArteMex, City Print & Marketing, Kentuckiana Pride Foundation, Louisville Parks and Recreation, Norton Healthcare, Heritage of India Foundation, The Fillies, Inc., and Urban Barbers of Louisville, Inc.
The parade will also feature: Nearly 40 specialty units, 8 marching bands and 5 equestrian units.
10 Inflatable characters scheduled to participate include: Festival Pegasus (Zoeller Pump Company – the Pegasus is the Derby Festival’s mascot and has been a signature part of the Parade since the 1980s), Cardinal Bird (UofL Health), Star (Waystar), Electric Elephant (Passport by Molina Healthcare), Goldie, Alex the Astronaut, Derby Dog, Hot Air Balloon, Thunder Jet and Festival Frog.
Churchill Downs is sponsoring all general admission bleacher seating for the 2025 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade. More than 3,000 seats along the route from Jackson to 9th streets will be free to attendees on a first come, first served basis.
COVERAGE NOTE: Zoeller Pump Company is the title sponsor of the Parade. (Zoeller rhymes with dollar.)
Parade Timing (good spots for visuals and feature stories on Sunday, April 27):
- 9 AM: Floats begin moving to the Float Assembly along Swan Street and Lampton Street.
- 11 AM: Horses start arriving in Equestrian Assembly (Behind East Government Center on Vine)
- 12 PM: Marching bands begin arriving by bus at Band Assembly (top of Broadway, above Baxter Avenue)
- 1 PM: Specialty units begin assembly on Broadway at the corner of Barret Avenue.
- 1:30 PM: Character balloons start inflation at Inflatable Assembly. (Goodwill Lot and Gray Street)
- 1:30PM: VIPs, Queen & Court, etc. begin arriving at VIP Assembly at Louisville Stoneware
- 3 PM: Step-off at Broadway & Campbell (watch the parade funnel together as all the components enter the route from their separate staging areas)
A live stream of the Parade will be available on WAVE digital platforms, including WAVE3.com, on Sunday, April 27. A one-hour Parade special will air on WAVE on Friday, May 2 from 8-9 p.m.
The Pegasus Parade is the founding event of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The first parade marched in 1956 to create a way for the community to celebrate before the historic horse race. It was organized by just a handful of volunteers on a budget of $640. Since then, the Festival has become a whirlwind of many events.
Zoeller Pump Company is the Title Sponsor of the Pegasus Parade. Contributing Sponsors: Churchill Downs, Kentucky Venues and Waystar. Official Health Care Provider: UofL Health. Official Hotel: The Galt House Hotel. Official Broadcast Partner: WAVE.
