FINALISTS FROM LOUISVILLE, LA GRANGE & COLUMBIA, KY March 6, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Burger fans have spoken! The votes are in and more than 55,000 beef lovers voted online to help select the top 4 finalists for the 2026 Derby Burger Challenge sponsored by Dan-O’s Seasoning, Kentucky Beef Council and Kroger. This year’s chefs […]

March 4, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Let’s get ready to RoboRumble! The 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation annual RoboRumble Regional Robotics Tournament powers up at duPont Manual High School on Saturday, March 7 for a day of engineering excitement and challenges. The regional STEM robotics competition, hosted by the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation and coordinated […]

March 2, 2026. Louisville, KY.  – Fans are invited to kick off the Kentucky Derby Festival season at Main Event’s Pegasus Pin Party! The Derby Festival is celebrating Pegasus Pin® wearin’ season with a family-friendly celebration at Main Event in Louisville (12500 Sycamore Station Place) on Tuesday, March 3, from 5-7 p.m. Festival Fans can […]

February 27, 2026. Louisville, KY.– Students from Jefferson County Public Schools will be in the spotlight sharing their ideas on ways to solve community-wide issues this Saturday, Feb. 28, at the sixth annual Park Community Credit Union JusticeFest. JusticeFest, a Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation event, showcases projects and collaborative work done by JCPS students from […]

2026 PIN PROGRAM INCLUDES 12 GRAND PRIZES February 26, 2026. Louisville, KY. – A sure sign of spring in Louisville is the arrival of Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pins! This year marks the 54th edition of the iconic plastic pins, which will be available at dozens of retail outlets starting Sunday, March 1. They can […]

SIX SPONSORS TEAM UP TO SUPPORT 2026 SHOW February 23, 2026. Louisville, KY. – In just over 50 days, one of the nation’s largest annual fireworks displays and top air shows in the country returns to light up the Louisville skyline! Thunder Over Louisville is set for Saturday, April 18. Kentucky Derby Festival released details […]

February 20, 2026. Louisville, KY. – It’s burger time and the Kentucky Derby Festival is calling all Festival foodies! Festival Fans can help select the 2026 ‘Derby Burger’ Champion. Dozens of original recipes were submitted for the competition sponsored by Dan-O’s Seasoning, Kentucky Beef Council and Kroger. The recipes have been narrowed down to the […]

DERBY FESTIVAL NAMES NEW CONCESSIONAIRE Louisville-based company awarded multi-year agreement February 16, 2026. Louisville, KY. – A Louisville-based company will bring a new flavor to Kentucky Derby Festival events. Khalil’s Catering has been selected as the Festival’s Official Concessionaire. Khalil’s Catering will provide food and beverage service for two of the Festival’s signature events: Thunder […]

DERBY FESTIVAL’S FREE PNC TOUR DE LOU TRAINING PROGRAM ROLLS OUT IN FEBRUARY FIRST 250 REGISTRANTS RECEIVE FREE SHIRT February 13, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Looking to get in cycling shape for spring? The Kentucky Derby Festival and PNC Bank are offering FREE training for cyclists of all experience levels. The six-week PNC Tour de […]

EVAN WILLIAMS BOURBON EXPERIENCE FIRST PLACE TO HAVE 2026 PINS Thursday, February 12, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The signature symbol of the Kentucky Derby Festival and spring in Louisville has arrived! The first shipment of 2026 Pegasus Pins were delivered this morning to Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Main Street in downtown. It’s the first […]

ENJOY SPECIAL PERKS AND INSIDER ACCESS February 10, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Give back, get involved, and help power the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world! The Kentucky Derby Festival is recruiting volunteers to help produce its more than 70 events for the 2026 celebration. Hundreds […]

FANS CAN ORDER ONLINE AND RECEIVE SPECIAL, LIMITED-TIME DISCOUNT February 6, 2026. Louisville, KY. – A sign that spring is just around the corner debuted this morning as the Kentucky Derby Festival’s 2026 Official Poster rolled off the presses at Welch Printing in Louisville. The poster was created by Louisville artist Shae Goodlett. The Derby […]

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS SATURDAY February 5, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The clock is ticking for foodies, grill masters and burger enthusiasts to see whose burger patty packs a punch! The deadline to submit your best and beefiest burger recipes for the 2026 ‘Derby Burger’ Challenge is THIS Saturday, February 7. This marks the 14th […]

VIP EXPERIENCE OFFERS ONE-OF-A-KIND VIEW OF THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE February 2, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Groundhog Day may have spring predictions, but the Kentucky Derby Festival already has a date on the calendar! Today marks 75 days until the Festival’s Opening Ceremonies, Thunder Over Louisville, set for Saturday, April 18. The event returns in 2026 […]

January 28, 2026. Louisville, KY. – With the winter storm keeping grills covered, the Kentucky Derby Festival is giving foodies, grill masters and burger enthusiasts more time to submit their best and beefiest recipes for the 2026 ‘Derby Burger’ Challenge. Entries will now be accepted through Saturday, Feb. 7, online at KDF.org/Beef. The annual competition […]

January 22, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Kentucky Derby Festival’s 2026 Race Weekend is off to a fast start, with registration already reaching more than 50 percent capacity! Participants are encouraged to secure their spot soon for the Kentucky Derby Festival 5K Presented by First Urology on Friday, April 24, as well as the Humana miniMarathon […]

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR PARTICIPANTS January 15, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Applications are open for one of the community’s favorite Derby week traditions! The Kentucky Derby Festival is looking for participants for the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade. This year’s parade theme is “Festival on the Move: A Year of Milestones, Memories and Movement!” The parade […]

January 12, 2026. Louisville, KY. – It was a crowning moment this morning as the Kentucky Derby Festival announced the 2026 Royal Court at Dillard’s in Mall St. Matthews. Five young women have been selected to serve as Princesses for this year’s Kentucky Derby Festival. “Announcing Kentucky Derby Festival royalty is a tradition that lets […]

WINNER WILL BE OFFICIAL THUNDERNATOR FOR FIREWORKS SHOW January 8, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Your Kentucky Lottery tickets could win you the ultimate Kentucky Derby Festival jackpot! The Derby Festival and Kentucky Lottery are teaming up to give away an unforgettable Festival experience this spring. One lucky winner will be named the 2026 ‘Festival Fanatic’ […]

GOLDEN TICKETS MAKE GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS December 19, 2025. Louisville, KY. – Take your shot at striking gold with the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation! The Foundation’s annual Golden Ticket Raffle is back and just in time for the holidays. Fans can purchase Golden Tickets for an opportunity to win once-in-a-lifetime Kentucky Derby Festival experiences. NEW […]