April 28, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade kicked off Derby Week this afternoon as it marched on a Sunday for the third straight year. Fans lined Broadway in downtown Louisville in partly sunny, 80-degree weather to celebrate the founding event of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The theme of this year’s parade – “Celebrating Derby 150” – celebrated the people, places and events that play a role in making Derby season a special time of year in Louisville.
This marked the 69th year that the parade has been bringing the community together. VIPs appearing in the 2024 Pegasus Parade included Mayor Craig Greenberg, Miss Kentucky Mallory Hudson, Jockeys Pat Day, Brian Hernandez and Julien Leparoux, Teddy Abrams (Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra), Pat Armstrong (President & CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum), Alan Rupp (President of Kern’s Kitchen Derby-Pie®), Gus the Pegasus, Sacred Heart Girls’ Basketball Team, Simmons College of Kentucky Women’s Basketball Team, and more. The parade also featured equestrian units, marching bands and more than 40 specialty units.
Several of the units participating in the 2024 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade received awards for their participation, including:
Norton Healthcare took home the Addison McGhee Sweepstakes Award for best overall float; Second Chance @ Life won the 2nd Place KDF Board Chair’s Award; Louisville Parks & Recreation received the 3rd Place KDF President’s Award; JCPS Justice Now won the Grand Marshal’s Award for best representation of the theme; and Thoughts Out Loud Mental Health & Violence Prevention Barber Shop won the Queen’s Award.
Wilmington Area High School 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 J-Bird Ranch Carousel Cowgirls. The Winner of the Non-Commercial Driven Unit is Royal Elegance: Spectacular Indian Marriage Procession. Kentucky Hard Riders 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 and Kentucky Venues. Official Health Care Partner: UofL Health. Official Hotel: The Galt House Hotel. Official Cookie Sponsor: Tiff’s Treats. Media Partner: WAVE.
