January 31, 2017. Louisville, KY. We’re only 81 days away from the Kentucky Derby Festival and this year fans can look forward to some new events planned for the annual spring celebration. The Festival is adding everything from a STEM robotics competition and Soccer Tournament to a Bocce competition and a Bourbon tasting for the 2017 line-up of Official Derby Festival events. They will round out the Festival’s schedule of more than 70 events produced each year in the weeks leading up to the first Saturday in May.
“We continue to build on the tradition of the Festival that started 61 years ago with a single parade for the community.” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO. “We’re now a whirlwind of events and we work hard to make sure our schedule has something memorable and unique for everyone.”
Information on the new events coming to this year’s Kentucky Derby Festival is listed below. The Festival’s complete schedule can be found online at KDF.org.
Saturday, March 4
INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION ROBORUMBLE REGIONAL ROBOTIC TOURNAMENT. Doors open 8 AM. Competition begins 9 AM. Award Ceremony 4 PM. Ramsey Middle School. Regional STEM robotics competition allowing students to design, build and compete with robots. Coordinated by Jefferson County Public Schools. A Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Event. For more information contact Pamela Howell at Pamela.Howell@jefferson.kyschools.us or call (502) 485-3010. Sponsor: Indiana University Southeast.
Saturday, March 25
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL METRO PARKS & RECREATION STEPFEST. 1 PM – 5 PM. duPont Manual High School. Step team competition for Elementary, Middle and High School step teams, as well as community step groups. Division winners receive cash prizes and will be featured in the 2017 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade. Produced by Metro Parks & Recreation. Admission for spectators is $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under. To enter the free competition or for more information contact Laneisha Beasley at (502) 574-3206 or Laneisha.beasley@louisvilleky.gov.
Thursday, April 13
KING SOUTHERN BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL BOURBONVILLE. 6:00 PM. The Louisville Palace. Mix, mingle and enjoy Bourbon Specialty Drinks at the newest Kentucky Derby Festival event. Taste signature drinks from Kentucky’s Bourbon distilleries, enjoy Bourbon-inspired cuisine and meet the Master Distillers. Tickets on sale March 3. $50 General Admission; $75 VIP Experience. (21 and over only. Must present ID upon entry.) Sponsor: King Southern Bank. Contributing Sponsors: Liquor Barn and Falls City.
Sunday, April 23 – Saturday, April 29
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL LOUISVILLE CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY KENTUCKY FIRE JUNIORS. Bullit Estates Farm (near Oxmoor Center). Youth multi-weekend soccer tournament. Female competition: April 23. Male competition: April 29. Free to spectators. For more information visit KentuckyFireJuniors.com or call (502) 523.8541 or (502) 298-9733.
Sunday, April 30
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL V FOUNDATION CELEBRITY BOCCE TOURNAMENT. 12 – 4 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn. Have fun and play bocce with celebrities for a great cause at the Waterfront. For registration information go to www.jimmyvlouisville.org. Admission for spectators is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin®. Sponsor: Money Concepts (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
Sunday, April 30
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL YMCA HEALTHY KIDS DAY® PRESENTED BY HUMANA. 1 – 4 PM. Free, family friendly fitness event on the North Great Lawn at Waterfront Park inside Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. Features interactive activities, community vendors, inflatables, group exercise classes and the miniFun Run. For kids ages 3 and older and adults. Coordinated by YMCA of Greater Louisville. Sponsor: Humana. Media Sponsors: 102.3 The Max and Today’s Family Magazine. For more information visit YMCALouisville.org or call 502-587-9622.
