KY Derby Festival Events

Louisville home owners will be enjoying more than just the spring weather over the next couple weeks. The Kentucky Derby Festival is under way, and the dizzying array of amazing events will have us Louisvillians—and our many out-of-town guests—stepping out to enjoy the fun. Last weekend’s big event, Thunder Over Louisville, set the tone for the coming three weeks of events and activities designed to delight folks of every background, with every interest, and from every walk of life.

After weeks of balmy, beautiful weather, last Saturday took a surprising turn with temperatures in the low 50’s and winds that made it feel even colder. But that didn’t keep the 405,000 people who braved the weather from enjoying the air show and fireworks. Because of the low cloud cover, the originally planned air show was curtailed slightly, but even with these adjustments, nearly 90 aircraft displayed their power and speed with aerial acrobatic stunts that wowed the crowd.

Of course, the highlight of the evening was the magnificent fireworks display. This year’s theme was “A Star Spangled Blast,” and the spectacular light show was set to an eclectic musical backdrop that included songs popular during American wars as well as anti-war tunes, and from George W. Bush’s words and lyrics from Lady Gaga mixed in. Nearly 70 tons of fireworks were launched from the Clark Memorial Bridge to the amazed oohs and aahs from crowds on both sides of the river.

But Thunder is just one of the big events that makes up the Kentucky Derby Festival which will culminate in this year’s Run for the Roses on Derby Day, May 5. Other big attractions include the Hole-In-One Golf Contest and Pro-Am Tournament, the Fillies Derby Ball, Fest-a-Ville Concerts, Chow Wagons, Great Balloon Race, Mini-Marathon, Steamboat Race, Pegasus Parade, and the Kentucky Oaks. Some silly events are thrown in to show our crazy side, like the Bed Races and Run for the Rosé, but Louisville also takes time during the festival to show its more serious, civic-minded side by doing volunteer work during the Mayor’s Week of Service. Naturally, these are only a few of the many Derby Festival events that captivate our city and attract so many visitors to town.

Although the Brad Long team will be working hard match those looking for a new residence in Derby City with the perfect home this spring, we’ll be joining many Louisville home owners by stepping out to enjoy many of the Derby Festival events. What a great time to live in Louisville!

Complete List of Kentucky Derby Activities

04/19/2012 $1 Million Dollar Hole In One Golf Contest
04/21/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival Volleyball Classic
04/23/2012 King Southern Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Pro-Am Golf Tournament
04/25/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival "Taste of Derby Festival"
04/25/2012 $1 Million Dollar Hole In One Ladies Day
04/26/2012 Pajama Party & Bed Making Competition
04/26/2012 Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park
04/26/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Tour
04/26/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer
04/26/2012 U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great BalloonFest
04/26/2012 Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront
04/26/2012 Fourth Street Live! Kentucky Derby Festival After Party
04/26/2012 BB&T Kentucky Derby Festival Running Wild Expo
04/27/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Rush Hour Race
04/27/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow
04/27/2012 BB&T Running Wild Pasta Dinner & Expo
04/27/2012 APASSIONATA "The Beginning": April 27-29, 2012 at Freedom Hall
04/27/2012 Zumba Fitness Jam
04/28/2012 Marathon/miniMarathon presented by Walmart
04/28/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Race
04/28/2012 Da'Ville Classic Drum Line Showcase College Fair
04/28/2012 TheSlice: Spice, Style & Soul
04/28/2012 Sonic Saturday Featuring Eddie Money
04/28/2012 NPC Kentucky Derby Championships Fitness * Figure * Bikini *Bodybuilding *                            Physique
04/28/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival- ACO DerbyHole Classic
04/29/2012 $1 Million Dollar Hole In One Semi Finals
04/29/2012 Louisville Youth Orchestra Concert
04/29/2012 Children's Tea with the Derby Festival Princesses presented by Goldberg Simpson
04/29/2012 Celebration Sunday with 88.5 WJIE
04/29/2012 GospelFest
04/29/2012 Derby Brunch On the River
04/30/2012 Stock Yards Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Bed Races
04/30/2012 AT&T Derby Festival Morning Line
04/30/2012 Don Fightmaster Golf Outing for Exceptional Children
04/30/2012 Discovery Day Presented by PNC
04/30/2012 HappyTail Hour at Kroger's Fest-a-Ville
04/30/2012 Knights of Columbus Charity Dinner
05/01/2012 $1 Million Dollar Hole In One Finals
05/01/2012 Republic Bank Parade Preview Party
05/01/2012 WineFest
05/01/2012 Texas Hold'em Tournament
05/01/2012 Ramble for the Roses
05/01/2012 Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthy Lifestyle Showcase
05/01/2012 RhythmFest featuring George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
05/02/2012 Great Steamboat Race
05/02/2012 Battle of the Bounce
05/02/2012 Wednesday Evening Concert Featuring Walk The Moon with special guest Ha Ha                        Tonka
05/03/2012 Celebrity Day at the Downs
05/03/2012 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade
05/03/2012 100 Black Men of Louisville Derby Gala
05/03/2012 Tune It Up Thursday Concert featuring AWOLNATION
05/04/2012 Derby Eve Jam featuring The Charlie Daniels Band with Guest the Hillbenders

For links to all of the events go here: http://kdf.org/search.cgi?category=events