April 28, 2025. Louisville, KY. The Kentucky Derby Festival is implementing a new attendance policy for minors at its Fest-a-Ville venue at the Waterfront. Effective beginning today at 6 p.m. through Friday, May 2, all attendees under 18 years old entering Fest-a-Ville must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years of age or older. Proof of age is required. IDs will be verified at the entrance gate. The policy is being put in place after juveniles created multiple disturbances within the venue on Sunday afternoon and evening.

“Safety is always the Kentucky Derby Festival’s top priority,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “We want the entire community to be able to attend our events and this new policy will ensure we continue to have a family-friendly environment at Fest-a-Ville that everyone can enjoy.”

Each adult can only chaperone 6 minors at a time. Groups larger than 6 individuals under the age of 18 will require an additional chaperone for every 6 minors.

I.D. checks are conducted and required at the entrance gates before entering the Fest-a-Ville. Anyone who violates or attempts to bypass entrances will have committed a Criminal Trespassing offense which is subject to prosecution.

Chaperones are required to remain at Fest-a-Ville if they are bringing minors. Any adult who drops off minors (even if their own admission fees are paid), are in direct violation of the policy.

Any and all misbehaving minors and their associated parties will be asked to leave the venue.

Kentucky Derby Festival considers chaperones as a parent, guardian, or other supervising adult age 21 or over with a valid ID, including a photograph and date of birth.

Valid types of identification include driver’s license, non-driver ID card, passport, visa or military ID.

The Fest-a-Ville venue is open daily through Derby Eve. Admission is free with a 2025 Pegasus Pin. Pegasus Pins are $7 in advance at local retail outlets and $10 at the entrance to events. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted).