FIVE PRESENTING SPONSORS RETURN TO SUPPORT EVENT February 28, 2024. Louisville, KY. – In 51 days, one of the country’s top fireworks displays and air shows – Thunder Over Louisville – will light up the Louisville skyline. The daylong event is set for Saturday, April 20th on the Waterfront. Festival officials released details about the […]

February 27, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Let’s get ready to ROBORUMBLE! The 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation annual RoboRumble Regional Robotics Tournament rolls into Marion C. Moore High School on Saturday, March 2nd for a day of engineering excitement and challenges. The regional STEM robotics competition, hosted by the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation and coordinated […]

EVAN WILLIAMS CREATES SPECIAL GOLD PIN BOURBON BOTTLE Friday, February 23, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The iconic symbol of the Kentucky Derby Festival and springtime in Louisville has arrived! The first shipment of the 2024 Derby Festival Pegasus Pins were delivered this morning to Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Main Street in downtown Louisville’s Whiskey […]

February 21, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Calling all Derby Festival foodies! Festival Fans can help pick the 2024 ‘Derby Burger’ Champion. Dozens of original recipes were submitted for the competition sponsored by the Kentucky Beef Council along with Official Seasoning, Dan-O’s Seasoning, and Kroger. The recipes have been narrowed to the top eight recipes and […]

February 21, 2024. Louisville, KY.– Students from Jefferson County Public Schools will be in the spotlight sharing their ideas on ways to solve community-wide issues this Saturday at the fourth annual Park Community Credit Union Presents Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation JusticeFest. The JusticeFest event showcases projects and collaborative work done by JCPS students from elementary […]

FOR THE FIRST TIME, ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A MEDAL February 19, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival is adding some bling and new views to its annual cycling experience – the PNC Tour de Lou. The event’s start and finish will move to Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood. Plus, for the first time, all […]

SPECIAL VALENTINE’S PROMOTION KICKS OFF TODAY February 9, 2024, Louisville, KY. – Spots are filling up fast for Kentucky’s largest day of road racing! Registration for the GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon, set for Saturday, April 27, 2024, has reached more than 50 percent capacity. The cap for both races combined is 12,000 participants. Runners […]

FIRST 250 REGISTRANTS RECEIVE FREE SHIRT February 8, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Need help getting in cycling shape? The Kentucky Derby Festival and PNC are offering FREE training for cyclists of all experience levels. The six-week PNC Tour de Lou Training Program, produced by the Louisville Bicycle Club, returns this year with training options to […]

FANS CAN ORDER ONLINE NOW AND RECEIVE SPECIAL DISCOUNT February 2, 2024, Louisville, KY. –  Hot off the presses! A sign that spring and the Kentucky Derby Festival are just around the corner was unveiled  this morning as the Festival’s 2024 Official Poster rolled off the presses at Louisville’s Welch Printing. Spring style was also […]

69th EVENT TO CELEBRATE 150TH KENTUCKY DERBY January 29, 2024. Louisville, KY. – You won’t need tickets to this year’s Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade to have a prime viewing spot! Churchill Downs is sponsoring all general admission bleacher seating for this year’s event. More than 3,000 seats along the route from Jackson to 9th […]

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ANNUAL CHALLENGE IS JANUARY 31 January 25, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Calling all grill masters and burger enthusiasts! The Kentucky Derby Festival and the Kentucky Beef Council are searching for the next ‘Derby Burger’ Champion and you have until next week to submit your burger recipes for a chance to win. […]

POSTER AND MERCHANDISE LINE TO BE UNVEILED NEXT WEEK January 24, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival has hit a home run with its 2024 Official Poster Artist! Louisville artist and former professional baseball player for the Atlanta Braves, Richard Sullivan, has been selected as the Festival’s Official Poster artist for the 2024 […]

WINNER WILL BE OFFICIAL THUNDERNATOR OF FIREWORKS SHOW January 16, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Your lottery tickets could help you win big at this year’s Kentucky Derby Festival! The Derby Festival and Kentucky Lottery are teaming up once again to give away an unforgettable Derby Festival experience this spring. One lucky winner will be named […]

January 8, 2024. Louisville, KY. – It was a royal morning in Louisville as the Kentucky Festival introduced its 2024 Royal Court during an event at Dillard’s in Mall St. Matthews. Five young women have been selected to serve as Princesses for this year’s Festival and will serve as official ambassadors of the city, Commonwealth […]

2024 MARATHON RETURNS TO SOUTH LOUISVILLE December 20, 2023, Louisville, KY. –  The course is set for the 2024 GE Appliances miniMarathon & Marathon. The Kentucky Derby Festival is sharing the final race map to help participants prepare for Kentucky’s largest day of road racing on April 27, 2024. For the first time since 2019, […]

DESIGN CELEBRATES 150th KENTUCKY DERBY December 6, 2023, Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival wants the community to “Pin the Town Derby” next spring! The Derby Festival is releasing its 2024 Pegasus Pin design this week as part of the countdown to the 150th Kentucky Derby. The Festival collaborated with Churchill Downs on the […]

SUNDAY PARADE TO CELEBRATE 150TH KENTUCKY DERBY December 4, 2023. Louisville, KY. – If you’ve ever wanted to participate in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual parade, this could be your chance! Applications are now open for the 2024 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade. The parade returns to Broadway on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 3 […]

COURSES FOR BOTH RACES MOVE BACK TO KENTUCKY November 14, 2023, Louisville, KY. – More than just horses will be running for roses next spring! For the first time, every participant of the GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon will receive a rose after crossing the Finish Line at the race on Saturday, April 27, 2024. […]

SEE SNEAK PEEK OF 2024 RACE MEDAL & COURSE AT KICK-OFF EVENT November 10, 2023, Louisville, KY. – Go the distance! The Kentucky Derby Festival and Norton Sports Health are ready to put a little prep in your step with their annual Training Program for the 2024 GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon. The FREE 15-week […]

October 26, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Time to start planning for Spring! Starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 27, tickets for all 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival events will go on sale. This marks the first time tickets have gone on sale this early. “We know Derby Festival fans like to plan ahead, so we’re […]