OFFICIAL STEAMBOAT RACE COCKTAIL UNVEILED April 22, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The hometown Belle of Louisville is ready to defend her title against  upriver rival, the Belle of Cincinnati, during the Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race on Wednesday, May 1st. Details for this year’s race were announced on board the Belle of Louisville this morning. […]

April 22, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Fifty-six golfers will give it their best shot and take a swing at $1 million in tomorrow’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 23, at Seneca Golf Course, Hole #8. Each […]

SONGS INCLUDE CURRENT MIX OF FAVORITES April 19, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The 2024 Thunder Over Louisville soundtrack features a mix of current songs and crowd favorites. This year’s Thunder theme is “Celebrating Derby 150” – and the playlist also includes tributes to the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. “The tempo is the fastest-paced […]

LOUISVILLIAN AND LOCAL FOUNDATION RECOGNIZED FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT April 19, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Two special awards will be presented at the Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual They’re Off! Luncheon Presented by BAE Systems on Friday, April 19 in the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House Hotel. Each year, the Derby Festival presents the Silver Horseshoe […]

April 18, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Thunder Over Louisville is a full experience from the airshow, drones and fireworks in the sky, to all the activities at Thunder on the Ground. From the Thunder FoodFest and AKIMA Military Zone to the Meijer Family Fun Zone, there are refreshments and entertainment galore to be found all […]

April 17, 2024. Louisville, KY.  There are other Kentucky Derby Festival activities this weekend in addition to Thunder Over Louisville. Volleyball Tournament: Saturday, April 20 – Sunday, April 28 KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC. One of the country’s largest and oldest outdoor volleyball tournaments featuring sand and grass volleyball for all levels of play. 2024 […]

April 13, 2024. Louisville, KY. – With the traditional spin of a wheel, Ankita Nair (pronounced Un-KEY-TA Nair like fire) of Louisville was named the 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen tonight during the 65th annual Fillies Derby Ball Presented By Cadillac/Courtesy Cadillac at the Galt House Hotel’s East Grand Ballroom. Ankita is a third-year Med […]

NIGHTLY DRONE SHOW DEBUTS AT NINE-DAY EVENT April 11, 2024, Louisville, KY. – One of the Derby Festival’s signature events, Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, will take over Waterfront Park for nine straight days this spring and features a packed line-up. Several new events are debuting at the 2024 ultimate entertainment experience, including a nightly […]

HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTEST OPENS THURSDAY April 9, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The Derby Festival’s golf event swings into action this week and it’s your annual chance to take your best shot at $1 million. The Stock Yards Bank $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest opens Thursday, April 11 and runs through Sunday, April 21. The […]

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR FILLIES DERBY BALL April 9, 2024, Louisville, KY. – It’s the ball that starts it all! Get your tickets for the first ball of the Derby season – the 66th annual Fillies Derby Ball Presented By Cadillac/Courtesy Cadillac on Saturday, April 13 at the Galt House Hotel’s East Grand Ballroom. The […]

DAY-LONG EVENT ON APRIL 13 AT NORTON HEALTHCARE SPORTS & LEARNING CENTER April 5, 2024. Louisville, KY. – A community celebration of Derby-time traditions featuring local food, fare, family-friendly activities and more fun will be underway next weekend at the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Block Party Presented by Churchill Downs, Humana and Park Community Credit Union. […]

SPOTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR PNC TOUR DE LOU April 4, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual cycling experience – the PNC Tour de Lou – is set to take a spin through Louisville next weekend on Sunday, April 14. The event’s start and finish will move to Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood for […]

REPUBLIC BANK BOURBONVILLE CELEBRATES AMERICA’S NATIVE SPIRIT April 3, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Enjoy a spirited evening next week toasting the Derby Festival season! Two of Kentucky’s signature favorites – the Kentucky Derby Festival and bourbon – will be in the spotlight on Thursday, April 11 at the Frazier History Museum. Guests can sip and […]

FAMFEST FEATURES INDOOR & OUTDOOR FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN March 29, 2024. Louisville, KY.- The Kentucky Derby Festival is headed across the bridge and to Southern Indiana next week for an evening filled with festivities for the entire family! The Caesars Foundation of Floyd County FamFest features indoor and outdoor activities, and is set for Friday, April […]

Sugar Ray Leonard is Featured Speaker at Annual Luncheon March 28, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The Derby Festival’s annual kick-off luncheon will be a knockout! Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard will be the featured speaker at the Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual They’re Off! Luncheon Presented By BAE Systems on Friday, April 19. The renowned sports icon, […]

LOUISVILLE NATIVE WILL BE THIS YEAR’S THUNDERNATOR March 27, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Through a PICK 3 and KENTUCKY 5 special second-chance promotion sponsored by the Kentucky Lottery, Louisville resident Leslie Lyon Sr. is this year’s Derby City Fanatic for the 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival. As part of his big win, Lyon will serve as […]

NEW ROUTE WILL TRAVEL THROUGH LOCAL PARKS March 26, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Local parks will be highlighted as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s 4th annual Zoeller Pump Company Touring Parade on Saturday, April 6. The traveling display with nearly 20 units helps kick off the Festival’s month-long April celebration. This year’s “mini” parade […]

DILLARD’S RETURNS AS TITLE SPONSOR OF FASHION SHOW March 21, 2024. Louisville, KY. – The go-to event for spring and Derby fashion trends is headed down the runway next week at the Dillard’s Spring Fashion Show. The Derby Festival’s annual style tradition is Thursday, March 28 at Caesars Southern Indiana. This year’s show is themed […]

Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Louisville, KY.- The countdown continues to this year’s Kentucky Derby Festival  and there are several new events for Festival fans of all ages to enjoy. New additions include a viewing of  painted horse statues at Churchill Downs, a hat show at the Kentucky Derby Museum, special spring soccer and football games, […]

Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Louisville, KY. – Stacy Hoehle of LaGrange, Ky., is taking home the title of Derby Burger Champion. The recipe for her P.L.T. Burger was selected as this year’s winner after a cook-off this morning between the top four finalists at the Kroger in Middletown. The 12th Annual “Derby Burger Challenge” is […]