Kentucky Derby Festival
kentucky derby festival annual festival held louisville kentucky two week preceding first saturday may day kentucky derby festival kentucky largest single annual event first ran restarted festival main component thunder louisville largest annual firework display north america great steamboat race featuring belle louisville pegasus parade kentucky derby festival association started first weeklong festival including parade riverfront regatta orchestral concert first director olympic gold medalist arnold jackson derby festival king queen crowned marking start tradition flood festival discontinued modernday kentucky derby festival reborn festival cancelled due covid first cancellation since tom cactus brook received first kentucky derby festival silver horseshoe award given person made difference community youth development royal court among oldest tradition kentucky derby festival tradition dating back filly inc royal court consists group five young woman chosen preside event related kentucky derby woman officially represent derby festival city louisville january court derby princess selected pool applicant thirty finalist selected pool reduced five young woman make court criterion selection court member includes knowledge derby festival poise intelligence personality academic excellence campuscommunity involvement court attends nearly event twoweek period leading kentucky derby queen selected spin wheel annual filly derby ball festival saw method queen selection fair way select court tradition continues today member court awarded scholarship entire wardrobe festival vip access event chauffeur entire two week official kentucky derby festival festival first major event thunder louisville thunder kick daylong air show one largest firework display north america festival much waterfront park billed festaville host number event including chow wagon ride concert year official derby festival poster unveiled print sold help finance festival event first event held kdf pegasus parade parade held annually thursday derby nbc today show weatherman willard scott host wave tv broadcast coverage pegasus parade various sport competition held part festival including derby festival volleyball classic festival hosted derby festival basketball classic since proam golf tournament held race number race take place festival kentucky derby festival minimarathon marathon occur saturday kentucky derby mini held since saturday typically also great balloon race held culmination hot air balloonthemed balloonfest recognition given louisville restaurant employee run rosé waiter waitress run obstacle course carrying tray glass filled wine annual bed race business create themed mobile bed paraded race indoor track costumed employee great steamboat race usually take place week derby belle louisville typically take least one challenger since spelling bee held festival since kdf sold plastic pin kentucky derby featuring pegasus pin used proof purchase admission number kdf event controversial aspect derby festival derby cruising though official licensed event derby festival take place historically black area west broadway derby day friday cruising consists motorcycle car many elaborately modified driving slowly broadway pedestrian crowding sidewalk several block closed festival ride street vendor gridlock associated cruising made difficult police respond instance violence derby cruising police made effort stop cruising shutting broadway except emergency vehicle resulted suggestion racial profiling much public debate legitimacy broadway cruising free alternative festivity police announced similar plan although slightly broadway remain open including access shawnee park plan sparked lawsuit business owner civil right foundation claiming shutdown broadway derby week violated constitutional right cost hundred thousand dollar business federal judge allowed plan proceed citing concern public safety free flow traffic police banned cruising new plan allowing traffic flow high number officer hand enforce city noise cruising ordinance latter prevents vehicle blocking roadway police reported arrest although shut block portion broadway short time derby evening gridlock developed hillbilly outfield kentucky derby party list attraction event louisville metropolitan area official website thunder louisville website great balloonfest website great steamboat race website pegasus parade website derby festival minimarathon marathon website