April 9, 2021. Louisville, KY. – With the traditional spin of a wheel Giavanna (Gia) Combs of Louisville, KY, was named the 2021 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen tonight at a special Coronation Ceremony at The Galt House Hotel. Gia, 21-years-old, is a senior at the University of Louisville majoring in Psychology with a minor in […]

April 9, 2021. Louisville, KY. – The 2021 Kentucky Derby Festival kicks off this weekend as the Zoeller Pump Company Touring Pegasus Parade makes its way around the community on Saturday and Sunday. With nearly 20 units, the re-imagined parade will travel over 60 miles and through more than 35 neighborhoods around Louisville and in […]

March 25, 2021. Louisville, KY. – The countdown is on for this year’s Thunder Over Louisville, set for Saturday, April 17. Kentucky Derby Festival Officials, along with the show’s sponsors and partners, shared an update on plans for the show this morning in a Zoom press conference. Themed “Illuminating Our Community,” the 2021 show will […]

March 22, 2021. Louisville, KY. – Burger fans have spoken! More than 6,000 beef lovers voted online to help pick the Top 4 finalists for this year’s Derby Burger Challenge, sponsored by the Kentucky Beef Council. This year’s finalists include: • Brian Capps of Louisville, with the Bourbon Blueberry & Brie Bacon Cheeseburger • Charli […]

March 19, 2021. Louisville, KY. – Signs of the Derby Festival can be found everywhere in the spring, including on bourbon bottles. Today, Four Roses Bourbon is releasing their commemorative Derby Festival Poster Special Selection Single Barrel Bourbon, featuring the image of the 2021 Derby Festival Official Poster designed by Louisville artist Andy Perez, and […]

March 16, 2021. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival is taking the annual Pegasus Parade to neighborhoods around the community in 2021. Plans for the annual event were announced this morning at Louisville-based Zoeller Pump Company, the new title sponsor of the event. With public health and safety a top priority, the Festival developed […]

WINNER RECEIVES ULTIMATE LOUISVILLE EXPERIENCE March 3, 2021. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival and Kentucky Lottery are joining forces to give away the experience of a lifetime. One lucky winner will be named the 2021 Derby City Enthusiast and receive a prize package that includes one-of-a-kind Louisville and Derby Festival-themed experiences ranging from […]

Monday, March 1, 2021. Louisville, KY. – A sure sign that spring is near – Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pins will be available at dozens of retail outlets starting today! The plastic pins sell for $6 each. They can be found at grocery stores, gas stations, banks, and other retail outlets around Metro Louisville and […]

2021 COURSE INCLUDES OHIO RIVER GREENWAY AND LOUISVILLE LOOP February 25, 2021, Louisville, KY. – The modified course for the 2021 Humana miniMarathon and Marathon will include two states and four cities, to allow participants to be socially distanced and comply with COVID-19 guidelines. For this year’s event, the Derby Festival developed plans for both […]

EVAN WILLIAMS CREATES SPECIAL GOLD PIN BOURBON BOTTLE Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Louisville, KY. – The first shipment of 2021 Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pins is here! The pins arrived at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Main Street this morning. It’s the first place you can purchase this year’s pins starting today for $6 […]

February 5, 2021, Louisville, KY. – A sign of spring and Kentucky Derby Festival this morning, as the Festival’s 2021 poster rolled off the presses at Derby City Litho in Downtown Louisville. This year’s poster called “Going Up” was designed by Louisville artist Andy Perez, who is known for his collage and mixed media artwork. […]

January 29, 2021. Louisville, KY. – If you’ve been cooking up new recipes at home, now is the time to showcase your skills. The Kentucky Derby Festival and the Kentucky Beef Council are looking for the next ‘Derby Burger’ Champion. Burger recipes are being accepted now through March 1 in the 11th annual beef showdown […]

January 26, 2021. Louisville, KY. – Plans are underway for the 2021 Kentucky Derby Festival. With public health and safety a top priority, the Festival’s traditional schedule of events leading up to Derby Day will look different this year. After months of planning and exploring all options, the Festival has created a mix of both […]

January 15, 2021, Louisville, KY. – The work of a local artist will help celebrate the 2021 Kentucky Derby Festival. Andy Perez, known for his collage and mixed media artwork, has been selected as the Festival’s Official Poster Artist for the 2021 season. “In a time when so much has changed, we wanted to continue […]

Participants Offered Virtual or In-person Option, PLUS Training December 21, 2020. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival and PNC are giving cyclists something to look forward to next spring. Registration opens today for the annual PNC Tour de Lou – a cycling event that takes riders on a tour around the city. The Festival […]

ARTWORK WILL HELP DESIGN-A-BUS December 14, 2020. Louisville, KY. – If you know a young artist, their work could decorate a TARC bus that will debut next spring as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival. TARC and the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Foundation are joining forces and merging their annual art competitions for the first time, […]

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR TRAINING AND KDF RACES December 9, 2020, Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival and Norton Sports Health are bringing their annual Training Program to participants in 2021. The FREE 15-week Norton Sports Health Training Program, for the 2021 Humana miniMarathon and Marathon, will be virtual. Registration for the program opens […]

6 WINNERS CHOSEN TO RECEIVE $500 AMAZON GIFT CARD November 24, 2020. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival and Amazon are sharing inspiring stories from six individuals who’ve been named 2020 Community Champions. After a four-week nomination process, the winning Community Champions were selected from more than 100 nominees. Each Community Champion has gone […]

November 16, 2020. Louisville, KY. – Logging a lot of miles while holiday shopping? Make all those steps count with the Kentucky Derby Festival’s new virtual 5K sponsored by Oxmoor Center. The Tinsel Trot allows participants to track their miles over multiple days at their own pace. Registration is open now through December 7th at […]

WINNERS RECEIVE $500 AMAZON GIFT CARD October 12, 2020. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival and Amazon are teaming up to recognize champions in the community – those who’ve had a special impact on our lives in 2020. Behind-the-scenes or on the front lines, the Derby Festival wants to honor those who’ve gone above […]