Inflatable Application

If you are interested in becoming an Inflatable Unit, please contact the Kentucky Derby Festival offices prior to filling out this application. We have a variety of inflatables that are available for sponsorship. 

An Inflatable Unit is made up of a giant balloon filled with cold-air or helium that is guided down the parade route by a group of volunteers from a sponsoring or connected organization.. These inflatables are usually shaped like cartoon characters, animals, holiday icons, or themed designs. Inflatables add height, color, and a sense of wonder, often becoming some of the most recognizable and crowd-pleasing elements of a parade.

Your application will be reviewed in its entirety, and your acceptance will be based on the information included. If you have been in the Parade in previous years, please ensure you fill out the application with complete information, including details and pictures.

We recommend filling out this application once you have developed your unit plan, including participant count, vehicles, decorations, and costumes. The information included in your application will be used for production and planning purposes. Any changes must be communicated to the Kentucky Derby Festival Event Manager via email for approval.

Please note that units promoting a commercial entity/company are required to pay a commercial entry fee upon acceptance.

2027 Inflatable Application

Must apply by January 12, 2027.

  • Parade Guidelines & Policies

  • Contact Information

  • This will be used to identify your unit in all written and broadcast media.
  • {Example: Coming down the route is the Kentucky Derby Festival! With the annual Derby Festival produced annually since 1956, the focus and passion of their team bring festivities to the Greater Louisville area for the month prior to the Run for the Roses. Today, their float showcases their official mascot, Gus the Pegasus and elements of different events during the festival, such as Hole-in-One, WineFest, Great Steamboat Race and miniMarathon. They’d like to wish everyone a Happy Festival! Fun Facts: They have 70 board members and you can see some of them here today, dressed in their pink and teal jackets.}

  • Unit and Participant Information

  • All participants MUST be 8 years of age or older. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • Participants who will be walking down the Parade Route, and may be assisting the inflatable down the route.
  • Participants who will be dancing, stepping, cheering, or other movement performances on the Parade Route.
  • Participants who will be operating or riding in a vehicle down the Parade Route. Driver must be 18 years of age and vehicles must be licensed, registered, and insured. If no vehicle will be used, please type N/A.
  • This number should be the sum of the Drivers + Performers + Walkers listed above.

  • Unit Description

  • Click here to see Unit Application Examples.
  • The 2027 Pegasus® Parade Theme is ‘Springtime in the Bluegrass’. Click this link to read the theme description.
  • Vehicles MUST be marked with signage designating it as part of the unit and viewable by the crowd, be clean and free of damage, and include themed decorations. EX: 1 Ford F150
  • EX: The truck will have two speakers that are pointed to the crowd in the truck bed. It will be decorated with streamers and a sign with our group name with be on both sides. We need the vehicle in order to play music to dance to.

  • File Upload / Link

  • PLEASE SUBMIT A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR GROUP AND/OR A LINK TO AN ONLINE VIDEO BELOW.

  • Please submit a photograph of your unit and/or a link to an online video below.
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 50 MB.

    • For questions regarding the parade or the application process, please contact Lauren Lienhart Miller at 502-584-3378 or lmiller@kdf.org.
    • Applications must be submitted no later than January 14, 2027, and completed in full to be considered for acceptance. Each unit must fund its transportation, accommodations and all other expenses while in Louisville, KY.
    • Application is not a guarantee of acceptance.
    • Once approved, any change in a unit’s original application must be approved by the Kentucky Derby Festival. Failure to secure prior approval will result in the removal of the variance or the entire unit from the parade route.
    • Participants are responsible for ensuring that the use of any theme does not violate the copyright, service mark, trademark or intellectual property of others.
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