SPECIALTY UNITS, MARCHING BANDS, AND MORE
April 24, 2026. Louisville, KY. – The event that started the Kentucky Derby Festival – the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade – steps off THIS SUNDAY, April 26, at 3 p.m. The parade, which is celebrating its 71st march in 2026, will head down Broadway from Campbell to 9th Street, and kick off Derby Week. The theme of this year’s parade is “Festival on the Move: A Year of Milestones, Memories and Movement!” to celebrate the journey that connects us all through movement, celebrating our country’s history, our community, and the Derby Festival spirit.
“The Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade is the kickoff to Derby Week,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “For more than 70 years the parade has brought the community together in celebration. It’s a chance to see the Festival come to life through the imagination and talent of our community.”
“Being part of the Pegasus Parade means a lot to us at Zoeller Pump Company. As a Louisville-based company, supporting something that brings the community together like this is really special,” said Dwight Newton, Chief People Officer of Zoeller Pump Company. “We’re proud to partner with the Kentucky Derby Festival to help continue this tradition.”
VIPs scheduled to appear in the Parade include: Allison Gousha (Lead Creator for the Garland of Roses), Amanda Christine (Actress), Ariana Rodriguez (Miss Kentucky), Carolyn Cain (2026 Volunteer of the Year, Kentucky Derby Festival), Dr. Brian Yearwood (Superintendent, Jefferson County Public Schools), Gus the Pegasus (Kentucky Derby Festival Official Mascot), Jaden Wagner – GUDGROOVE (DJ & Producer), Louis Waterman (2026 Board Chair, Kentucky Derby Festival), Matthew Gibson (President & CEO, Kentucky Derby Festival), Mayor Craig Greenberg (City of Louisville), Rebecca Rupp (Kern’s Kitchen Derby-Pie®), Shae Goodlett (2026 Official Poster Artist, Kentucky Derby Festival), and Simon Bird (Interim Head Coach, Louisville City FC).
8 Floats will be featured: Angel 004, Dream Factory of Louisville, Fiesta y Zapateado with Ballet Folklórico ArteMex, Howard Steamboat Museum, Immune Divas Co., Jamaka’s Jungle, Kentucky State Fair, Louisville Parks & Recreation, Norton Healthcare, Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, The Fillies, Inc., Thoughts Out Loud Mental Health & Violence Prevention Barber Shop, and Wright Contracting.
The parade will also feature 47 specialty units, 7 marching bands, 7 equestrian units, and 7 inflatable characters. Some units to highlight include the inflatables – Festival Pegasus (Zoeller Pump Company), and Jeffie the Derby Dog (Jefferson Animal Hospitals); equestrian units – The Kentucky Hardriders Straight Steppin’ Crew, and the American Sidesaddle Association; bands – the Parris Island Marine Band and the University of Louisville Marching Cards; and specialty units – Meijer’s Vintage Fire Truck, Louisville America 250, Dollface Academy – Dancing Dolls.
A live stream of the Parade will be available on WAVE digital platforms, including WAVE3.com, on Sunday, April 26. A one-hour Parade special will air on WAVE on Thursday, April 30 from 8-9 p.m.
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. Contributing Sponsors: Churchill Downs and Kentucky Venues. Official Hotel: The Galt House Hotel. Official Broadcast Partner: WAVE.
About Kentucky Derby Festival
2026 marks the 71st year for the Kentucky Derby Festival, a month-long celebration packed with 70+ events leading up to the first Saturday in May. As an independent community organization, it’s supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people every spring and has a local economic impact of more than $200 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
