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 […]

U.S. BANK NEW SPONSOR OF ESSENTIAL PROGRAM October 24, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Every Spring the Kentucky Derby Festival utilizes thousands of volunteers to help produce its more than 70 events. Nearly 4,000 volunteers are needed annually to help with everything from selling Pegasus Pins to supporting runners after they cross the Finish Line at […]

October 20, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Get your tickets! For the first time, Kentucky Derby Festival event tickets are going on sale earlier than ever before. Tickets for all 2024 Festival events will be available for purchase one week from today on Friday, October 27, starting at 10 a.m. “We know Derby Festival fans like […]

FESTIVAL’S FOUNDATION SELLING EXCLUSIVE GOLDEN TICKET October 17, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Get your Golden Tickets! Taking a cue from Willy Wonka, the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation is selling a Golden Ticket for the 2024 Festival. The lucky winner and a guest will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime Derby Festival experience, including VIP tickets to […]

October 10, 2023. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival was recognized internationally for its excellence in the festivals and events industry during the International Festivals & Events Association’s (IFEA) annual Convention, Expo & Retreat in McAllen, Texas. The Festival won nine awards in various categories for promotions, multimedia, advertising campaigns and merchandise, including winning […]

SPECIAL RACE PROMOTION STARTS SEPT. 7 September 5, 2023, Louisville, KY. – Ready, set, register! Registration for Kentucky’s largest day of road racing opens this week – Thursday, Sept. 7 at 9 a.m. The GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon is set for Saturday, April 27, 2024. The annual event attracts an average […]

APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 ROYAL COURT OPEN SEPT. 5 August 31, 2023. Louisville, KY. – The search is on for new Kentucky Derby Festival royalty! Young women from Kentucky or Southern Indiana who are full-time college students (in at least their 2nd year) are eligible. Applications open Tuesday, Sept. 5, and the deadline to submit for […]

PARTICIPANTS CAN LOCK IN SPECIAL PRICING OPENING WEEK August 23, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Registration for the Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual cycling experience – the PNC Tour de Lou – opens Thursday, August 24 at 10 a.m. The event, which has been a community tradition for more than a decade, is scheduled for Sunday, April […]

CHALLENGE OPENS EARLIER THIS YEAR IN THE HEAT OF GRILLING SEASON August 21, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Calling all grill masters and burger enthusiasts! The Kentucky Derby Festival and the Kentucky Beef Council are looking for the next ‘Derby Burger’ Champion. The 2024 competition is opening a few months earlier than in past years while […]

June 30, 2023. Louisville, KY. – U.S. Troops across the globe will have the opportunity to experience Thunder Over Louisville on the Fourth of July. The Kentucky Derby Festival has partnered with the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet and WAVE to share a special presentation of this year’s Thunder air show and fireworks with […]

FESTIVAL CHAIR & DATES FOR SIGNATURE EVENTS ANNOUNCED June 14, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Longtime Louisville business leader Erin Rasinen is set to Chair the 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival. The Louisville native was elected by the Festival’s Board of Directors at its annual meeting this afternoon. Rasinen is the Business Development Director of Messer Construction […]

June 8, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Now that the events have wrapped up, Spring cleaning is in full swing at the Kentucky Derby Festival office to prepare for the Festival’s annual Yard Sale next week. The summer tradition is a one-stop-shop for finding deals on a variety of Derby Festival merchandise and collectibles. It takes […]

Monday, May 8, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Derby Festival fans who discovered a Gold Winner Pin in their 2023 Pegasus Pin Sponsorship envelope need to register online at PegasusPins.com by 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 to be eligible for the drawing of the $20,000 cash Gold Pin Grand Prize. The winner will be announced on […]

May 3, 2023. Louisville, KY. – The Belle of Louisville is still the queen of the Ohio River for the fourth straight year. The hometown steamboat was declared the winner of the Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race tonight following deliberations by the judges, the boat Captains, Derby Festival Officials and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. The […]

May 3, 2023. Louisville, KY. This is the schedule for THURSDAY’S AND FRIDAY’S Derby Festival activities. The party continues at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville and the Chow Wagon: Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the WaterfrontSM. Open Daily 11 AM – 11 PM. Waterfront Park. ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides. […]

HONDA WORLD IS PRESENTING SPONSOR OF 2023 DAY AT THE RACES May 2, 2023. LOUISVILLE, KY – The Kentucky Derby Festival is getting in the Thurby spirit with Derby Festival Day at the Downs Presented By Honda World on Thursday, May 4 at Churchill Downs in the 4th floor Skye Terrace. Honda World is the […]

May 2, 2023. Louisville, KY. This is the schedule for WEDNESDAY’S Derby Festival activities. The party continues at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville and the Chow Wagon: Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the WaterfrontSM. Open Daily 11 AM – 11 PM. Waterfront Park. ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides. Admission is […]

SAMTEC NEW TITLE SPONSOR OF 2023 EVENT May 1, 2023. Louisville, KY. – Bed racing fans filled the stands at Broadbent Arena tonight for the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Bed Races. Samtec is the new Title Sponsor of the 2023 event, which featured nearly 40 teams pushing their decorated beds around a figure-eight course, competing […]

May 1, 2023. Louisville, KY. This is the schedule for TUESDAY’S Derby Festival activities. The party continues at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville and the Chow Wagon: Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the WaterfrontSM. Open Daily 11 AM – 11 PM. Waterfront Park. ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides. Admission is […]

TOASTING EVENT’S NEW TITLE SPONSOR – CHICKEN SALAD CHICK May 1, 2023. LOUISVILLE, KY – The Kentucky Derby Festival is toasting the Derby and spring season with sipping, savoring and strolling at the Chicken Salad Chick WineFest on Tuesday, May 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. Chicken Salad Chick is the new Title Sponsor of […]