April 27, 2021. Louisville, KY. – The $1 million prize is still up for grabs after 31 years in the Stock Yards Bank Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest. No one has aced Hole #8 at Seneca Golf Course, though a Louisville man came closest tonight. Shawn Santini of Louisville came closest […]

April 27, 2021. Louisville, KY. – This year’s Great Steamboat Race Presented by Kroger will have three contenders – the hometown Belle of Louisville, up-river rival the Belle of Cincinnati and from the south in Memphis, the American Duchess. The race is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28. The three boats will participate […]

April 26, 2021. Louisville, KY. – There were lots of beds at the Kentucky Exposition Center tonight, but none were for sleeping. Beds with wheels competed in the Ashley HomeStore Kentucky Derby Festival Great Bed Races. Nearly 20 teams pushed their decorated beds on an outdoor drag-race style course, competing for the fastest times. Bluegrass […]

April 26, 2021. Louisville, KY. – 53 golfers will take a swing at $1 million in Tuesday’s Finals for the Stock Yards Bank Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest. The Finals begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, at Seneca Golf Course, Hole #8. Each Finalist gets one shot at the […]

April 26, 2021. Louisville, KY. – Beds aren’t for sleeping during Derby Week, they’re for racing! Today, beds on wheels will hit the racetrack in the Ashley HomeStore Kentucky Derby Festival Great Bed Races. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, this year’s event is not open to the public, only to participants. Bed racing coverage will […]

April 25, 2021. Louisville, KY. – This is the last day of preliminary qualifying rounds for the Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. it’s $1 per shot at the Seneca Golf Course Driving Range off Pee Wee Reese Road. The […]

The Kroger Great BalloonFest Tribute which was postponed this morning due to unfavorable winds, is now postponed until tomorrow (Sunday) evening. Balloonists had hoped to take flight Sunday morning, but have decided to wait until the evening for better flying conditions. Festival officials will continue to monitor the weather and share any updates. The evening […]

April 22, 2021. Louisville, KY. Kentucky Derby Festival (“KDF”) is launching the Derby Equity and Community Initiative, (“DECI” or “the Initiative”), with support from Churchill Downs and Humana Inc. This partnership is a combined effort to incorporate equitable programming into the Derby season with the intention of directing economic impact and ensuring a sense of […]

April 16, 2021. Louisville, KY. – As final set-up continues for this year’s Thunder Over Louisville show, Derby Festival organizers are making further adjustments due to growing concerns of mass gatherings after potential fireworks locations were leaked earlier in the week. The Festival will now utilize only three self-contained locations – the Kentucky Exposition Center, […]

April 15, 2021. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual cycling event – PNC Tour de Lou – rides through Louisville this Sunday, April 18. Now in its 8th year, the PNC Tour de Lou was created for cyclists of all experience levels. In 2021, participants were offered the opportunity to bike in-person this […]

April 14, 2021. Louisville, KY. – It’s time to take your shot at $1 million! The Stock Yards Bank Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest returns in 2021. The contest opens on Thursday, April 15, and runs through Sunday, April 25 at the Seneca Golf Course Driving Range (off Pee Wee Reese […]

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 […]