December 16, 2022. Louisville, KY. – The final countdown is on for finding the perfect present, and the Derby Festival has you covered for several one-of-a-kind gifts for the favorite Festival fan in your life. Here’s a round-up of last-minute gift ideas offering “tree-mendous” value, whether you’re on the hunt for something stylish, experiential or […]

December 14, 2022. Louisville, KY. – A Louisville artist and designer, known for her colorful paint palette and unique technique of using layers of patterns and papers in her work, and whose designs are sold in T.J. Maxx and Home Goods’ stores across the country, will play a prominent role in next year’s Derby Festival. […]

Registration Opens TOMORROW!  Dec. 7, 2022. Louisville, KY. – It’s time to condition for your cycling mission! The Kentucky Derby Festival and PNC are gearing up for the annual training program for the 2023 PNC Tour de Lou. The FREE six-week PNC Tour de Lou Training Program offers in-person training options to help participants set […]

November 29, 2022. Louisville, KY. – Looking for a festive gift? Gift the Festival fan in your life with tickets to a 2023 Derby Festival event! Just in time for the holiday season, tickets for some of the Festival’s signature events go on sale beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow – Wednesday, Nov. 30. “Spring is […]

REGISTRATION OPENS NEXT WEEK FOR 15-WEEK PROGRAM November 10, 2023, Louisville, KY.   – Put a little prep in your step! The Kentucky Derby Festival and Norton Sports Health are ready to run with their annual Training Program for the 2023 GE Appliances miniMarathon and Marathon. The FREE 15-week program is packed with in-person training options […]

DERBY WEEK PARADE TO MARCH ON SUNDAY AGAIN IN 2023 November 2, 2022. Louisville, KY. – If you’ve ever wanted to participate in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual parade, this could be your chance. Applications open this Friday, November 4, for the 2023 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade, which will return on a Sunday for […]

SPECIAL PRICING FOR 10 DAYS IN CELEBRATION OF 10TH ANNUAL RIDE October 13, 2022. Louisville, KY. – Registration for the Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual cycling experience – the PNC Tour de Lou – opens Thursday, Oct. 20. The event, which is celebrating its 10th year in 2023, is scheduled for Sunday, April 16, 2023. Riders […]

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR 2023 ROAD RACES TOMORROW September 7, 2022, Louisville, KY. – Kentucky’s largest road race will celebrate a major milestone in 2023, as the Derby Festival miniMarathon marks its 50th run. The GE Appliances Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon and Marathon is set for Saturday, April 29, 2023. The annual event began with the […]

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 2023 OPENS TODAY August 31, 2022. 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 TODAY and the deadline to submit for the 2023 Royal Court […]

August 25, 2022. Louisville, KY. – With heavy hearts, the Kentucky Derby Festival mourns the loss of Bridget Sherrill, Vice President of Merchandising, who celebrated her 50th anniversary with the organization this year and was known for her significant role in the Festival’s Pegasus Pin Program. For Derby Festival staff, Sherrill, who passed away on […]

June 30, 2022. Louisville, KY.   – In honor of the Fourth of July holiday, U.S. Troops from around the world will have the opportunity to experience Thunder Over Louisville. The Kentucky Derby Festival has teamed up with the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, as well as WLKY-TV to share a special presentation of the […]

DERBY FEST CHAIR SELECTED; DATES SET FOR SIGNATURE EVENTS June 15, 2022. Louisville, KY.   – Longtime Louisville media leader Ken Selvaggi will chair the 2023 Kentucky Derby Festival. He was elected by the Festival’s Board of Directors at its annual meeting this afternoon. Selvaggi is the General Manager of the ESPN Louisville radio group, and […]

June 9, 2022. Louisville, KY. – Now that the events have wrapped up, Spring cleaning is officially under way at the Kentucky Derby Festival and that means it’s time for the Festival’s annual Yard Sale. The summer tradition is the best place to find deals on a variety of Derby Festival merchandise and collectibles. It […]

May 12, 2022. Louisville, KY. – Get ready to ROBORUMBLE! The 2022 Samtec RoboRumble Regional Robotics Tournament returns Saturday, May 14, at Marion C. Moore High School. The regional STEM robotics competition, hosted by the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation and coordinated by Jefferson County Public Schools, challenges students and teams to design, build and compete […]

Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Louisville, KY.   – Derby Festival fans who found a Gold Winner Pin in their 2022 Pegasus Pin Sponsorship envelope need to register online at www.PegasusPins.com by 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, to be eligible for the drawing of the Gold Winner Pin Grand Prize – a 2022 Honda HR-V. The winner […]

May 4, 2022. Louisville, KY. – The Belle of Louisville is still the queen of the Ohio River, after being declared the winner of the Liberty Financial Great Steamboat Race. Following deliberation by the judges, the boat Captains, Derby Festival Officials, and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, the hometown Belle was deemed the only “authentic” steamboat […]

This is the schedule for FRIDAY’S Festival activities: Derby Eve 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 free with a 2022 Pegasus Pin®.  […]

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH DERBY FESTIVAL ON THURSDAY This is the schedule for THURSDAY’S Festival activities. Festival Day at Churchill Downs: KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL DAY AT THE DOWNS PRESENTED BY KENTUCKIANA HONDA DEALERS. 11:30 AM. NEW LOCATION: Churchill Downs, Fourth Floor, Skye Terrace. SOLD OUT. Sponsor: Kentuckiana Honda Dealers. Contributing Sponsor: Baird and SoIN Tourism. Media […]

May 3, 2022. Louisville, KY.   – This year’s Liberty Financial Great Steamboat Race will have three contenders – the hometown Belle of Louisville, upriver rival the Belle of Cincinnati and a newcomer from the south in lower Mississippi, the American Countess.  The race is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4. The three boats […]

May 2, 2022. Louisville, KY. – Bed racing fans filled the stands at Broadbent Arena tonight for the return of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Bed Races. Nearly 30 teams pushed their decorated beds around a figure-eight course, competing for the fastest times. Full Throttle Adrenaline Park won the Champions Division with a time of […]