May 1, 2019. Louisville, KY. – The event that started the Kentucky Derby Festival – the 64th annual Republic Bank Pegasus Parade – steps off TOMORROW, May 2, at 5 p.m. The parade will march West on Broadway from Campbell to 9th Street. As one of the festival’s most cherished and popular events, the parade attracts thousands of spectators to downtown streets. The theme of this year’s parade is “Pegasus Power,” and will have superpowered Grand Marshals from the Marvel Avengers – Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain America and Black Widow. The Derby Festival is inviting everyone who comes to the parade to dress in superhero costumes.
“The parade has been bringing families and the community together for more than 60 years,” said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO. “This year’s parade will be one for the kid in all of us and we can’t wait to see fans in their favorite superhero costumes!”
Other guests scheduled to appear in the Pegasus Parade include Natalie Zea of “The Detour” and “Justified,” Monte Durham of “Say Yes To The Dress: Atlanta,” Travis Schuldt of “Scrubs” and “Passions,” Phaedra Parks of “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Jamon Brown of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Louisville City FC, Jecorey “1200” Arthur, Bryson Tiller, The Struts, Chefs Darnell Ferguson and Dallas McGarity of Food Network, Chef Gerron Hurt of FOX’s “Master Chef,” and Miss Kentucky 2018 Katie Bouchard.
Tickets for the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade are still available. They can be purchased online at KDF.org or on site tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The tickets can be purchased at the Derby Festival tent located at the corner of 1st and Broadway, under the overhang at the JCTC Office. Ticket prices are $10 for bleacher seats and $12 for chair seating.
Floats from 11 sponsoring organizations will be featured: City of St. Matthews, Grand Lodge of Kentucky, Hwang’s Martial Arts, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Proud, Kosair Shriners/Kosair Charities, Louisville Parks & Recreation, Louisville Zoo, Norton Healthcare, Second Chance at Life, and The Fillies’, Inc.
The parade will also feature: 1 push float, 12 equestrian units, 10 marching bands, and 42 specialty units.
6 Inflatable characters scheduled to participate include: CareSource (Super Grover), Central High School (Daniel Tiger), Horseshoe Southern Indiana (Horseshoe), LG&E (Louie the Lightning Bug), Republic Bank (Peggy Bank), and Waystar (Secretariat).
Republic Bank is the Title Sponsor of the parade, joining Contributing Sponsor KentuckyOne Health Louisville Region and The Official Hotel, The Galt House.
