April 7, 2022, Louisville, KY. – The first ball of the Derby season is this weekend! The 64th annual Fillies Derby Ball Presented by Dillard’s and Total Wine & More is Saturday, April 9 at the Galt House Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The Fillies, Inc., a volunteer organization that works closely with the Kentucky Derby Festival, are hosts of this formal event. The Derby Festival Queen will be chosen by the traditional spin of the wheel, and the four remaining Princesses, two Handmaidens, two Pages to the Court and two newly knighted outstanding citizens of the community will establish the Royal Court.
The event begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails, call to the post/doors open at 7, and The Queen’s Coronation takes place at 7:30, all followed by dinner at 8. Dancing is from 9 p.m. to midnight. Live musical entertainment will be provided by The Crashers. The 2022 Fillies President Paula Bishop will spin the wheel to determine the 2022 Derby Festival Queen.
The selection of the Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Princesses is a self-nominating procedure. After submitting applications, the young women then go through a judging process before being chosen to serve as ambassadors to the community for the 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 Fillies Derby Ball is the largest fundraiser for the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, KDF’s charitable arm. A portion of the proceeds from the ball benefit the Foundation.
The Fillies Derby Ball is produced by The Fillies, Inc. Dillard’s and Total Wine & More are the Presenting Sponsors of this year’s ball. Media Sponsor is TOPS Louisville.
