April 27, 2025. Louisville, KY. – The Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade kicked off Derby Week this afternoon as it marched on a Sunday for the fourth straight year. Fans lined Broadway in downtown Louisville on a sunny, beautiful day to celebrate the founding event of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The theme of this year’s parade – “Happy Derby: Pink Out Party!” – featured participants and spectators decked out in one of the Derby Festival’s signature shades and painting Broadway pink.
This marked the 70th year that the parade has been bringing the community together. VIPs appearing in the 2025 Pegasus Parade included 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. The parade also featured equestrian units, marching bands and nearly 40 specialty units.
Several of the units participating in the 2025 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade received awards for their participation, including:
Norton Healthcare took home the Addison McGhee Sweepstakes Award for best overall float; Arrancamos con el Derby With Ballet Folklorico ArteMex won the 2nd Place KDF Board Chair’s Award; Kentuckiana Pride Foundation received the 3rd Place KDF President’s Award; Louisville Parks and Recreation won the Grand Marshal’s Award for best representation of the theme; Spring Festival of India won the Queen’s Award; and Thoughts Out Loud Mental Health & Violence Prevention Barber Shop won the KDF Chairman’s Award.
North Allegheny Tiger Marching Band was named the Grand Champion in the Basil Caummisar Battle of the Bands competition. The parade is known for its beautiful equestrian units. The first-place award for Best Mounted Equestrian Unit went to the Daniel Boone Distance Riders. American Sidesaddle Association won the Pooper Stars Award.
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.
