By Roya Fathalizadeh–
Every Louisvillian’s favorite time of the year is quickly approaching. That’s right, it’s Derby season.
From Thunder over Louisville to the Balloon Glow, the Kentucky Derby Festival offers a variety of events for people of all ages. With the purchase of a Pegasus Pin, you gain free admission to some of the events. Approximately 200,000 Pegasus Pins were sold in 2015. The proceeds of the sales allow the KDF to provide free events like Thunder to the public. This year, every Pegasus Pin holder is eligible to win weekly grand prizes like a 2016 Honda CRV.
Here is all you need to know about this year’s most anticipated events:
Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic
When: April 15 – 7 p.m.
Where: Freedom Hall, Kentucky Expo Center
Cost: $18 in advanced, $20 at the door. Tickets available at TicketMaster.com or Freedom Hall box office
The Fillies Derby Ball
When: April 16 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Louisville Marriott Downtown
Cost: $175 per person, $2,500 for VIP table of 10. Tickets available at KDF.org
$1 Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Contest
When: April 21 – April 30 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., semi-finals May 1 @ 6 p.m.
Where: Seneca Park Golf Course
Cost: -April 24: Kids’ Day – 2 shots for $1.
-April 25: first responders and veterans – 2 shots for $1.
-April 26, Ladies’ Day – 2 shots for $1.
-Senior special weekdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., seniors ages 62 and older – 2 shots for $1.
-$1 per shot and free for spectators.
They’re Off Luncheon
When: April 22 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Grand Ballroom, Galt House
Cost: Tickets available for $85 at KDF.org
Thunder Over Louisville
When: April 23. Airshow – 3 p.m. Fireworks – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Louisville, Waterfront Park and Southern Indiana
Cost: Free.
Kentucky Derby Festival Taste of Derby Festival.
When: April 26 – 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St.
Cost: For more info call (502) 966-3821.
Food from over 65 restaurants and beverage companies, bourbon and wine tasting plus a silent auction.
Running Wild Pasta Party
When: April 29 – 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Kentucky International Convention Center Hall
Cost: $20
U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloonfest
When: April 28-April 30
- S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Charity Race: April 28 – 7 a.m. at Bowman Field
- Great Balloon Glimmer: April 28 – 8:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park
- Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race: April 29 – 7 a.m. at Bowman Field
- Great Balloon Glow: April 29 – 6 p.m. at Kentucky Exposition Center
- Great Balloon Race: April 30 – 7 a.m. at Bowman Field
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin.
Chow Wagon
When: April 28-30, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. May 2-6, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin
Concerts, food, kids inflatable playground, midway rides and more.
Easton Corbin, Granger Smith, Earl Dibbles Jr.
When: April 29 – 8 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin.
Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and mini marathon
When: April 30 – 7:30 a.m.
Where: Start – Main Street near Slugger Field
Cost: Entry fees and registration info – Derbyfestivalmarathon.com. Free for spectators.
Kentucky Derby Festival Ken-Ducky Derby
When: April 30 – 7 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin.
Launch of over 20,000 duck into the Ohio River. Proceeds benefit Harbor House. To adopt a duck, visit Hhlous.org.
Kentucky Derby Festival Zumba Fitness Party
When: April 30 – 5-7 p.m.
Where: Waterfront, Great Lawn
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin.
Kentucky Derby Festival The Slice: Spice, Style and Soul
When: April 30 – 6-9 p.m.
Where: The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Cost: Tickets $65 advance, $75 day of event and includes a 2016 Pegasus Pin.
Live entertainment and food tasting. Proceed benefit charities and assistant programs.
Kentucky Derby Festival Happytail Hour
When: May 2 – 5-9 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin
Pet friendly.
Thornton’s Kentucky Derby Festival Great Bed Races
When: May 2 – 6 p.m.
Where: Broadbent Arena, Kentucky Exposition
Cost: Free for spectators with Pegasus Pin. Entry fee $130. Parking $8, $20 bus.
Kentucky Derby Festival Health Fair
When: May 3 – 5-9 p.m.
Where: Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing C
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin.
Kentucky Derby Festival Texas Hold’em Tournament
When: May 3 – 4 p.m.
Where: Belle of Cincinnati, docked on the Waterfront May 3.
Cost: $125 buy-in includes 10,000 chips. Add-on available for the first hour of play. $40 for 4,000 chips. $15 for guests.
Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick
When: May 3 – 8 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin.
Kentucky Proud Kentucky Derby Festival Wine Fest
When: May 3-4 – 5-9 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park on the Belvedere
Cost: $45 general admission, $85 VIP
Kentucky Derby Festival Battle of the Bounce
When: May 4 – 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park, Great Lawn
Cost: Free With Pegasus Pin.
Obstacle course competition that benefits Christian Care Communities, Kentucky and Indiana Stroke Association and Pitt Academy.
Kentucky Derby Festival Splat Out Cancer
When: May 4 – 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park, Great Lawn
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin.
Launch paint-filled balloons at a canvas.
Kentucky Derby Festival Great Steam Boat Race
When: May 4 – 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Where: Ohio River Shoreline
Cost: For more fnfo, visit BBRiverboats.com. Free for spectators.
Kentucky Derby Festival BeerFest
When: May 4 – 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park
Cost: $45 in advance, $50 at the gate; VIP $75 (starts at 5 p.m.).
Republic Bank Pegasus Parade
When: May 5 – 5 p.m.
Where: West on Broadway from Campbell to Ninth Street
Cost: Bleacher tickets $10, chair seating $12, review stand seating $30.
Cold War Kids
When: May 5 – 9 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park
Cost: Free with Pegasus Pin
Kentucky Oaks
When: May 6 – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Churchill Downs
Cost: $40.
Kentucky Derby.
When: May 7 – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Churchill Downs
Cost: $60.
