For two weeks proceeding the Kentucky Derby, Louisville hosts the nation’s largest civic celebration, drawing hundreds of thousands annually, with nearly a hundred accessible events to boast, as it ushers in the Kentucky Derby which is held on the first Saturday in May.
The festival is founded on the original ideas of Matt Winn (who in 1902 was instrumental in bringing life back to the Kentucky Derby). The first official Kentucky Derby Festival was held in 1935 and ran until 1937, but due to major flooding that year it was discontinued until 1956 when it was revived once more and has been running ever since.
Arnold Jackson, Olympic gold medalist, was the first director of the festival, and in 1937 the tradition of crowning a festival king and queen was established.
The first major event of the Kentucky Derby festival is the Thunder over Louisville, fireworks display. It has been rated as the largest display in the U.S. and among the top 100 best events in North America. Crowds of spectators line the banks of the Ohio River as an amazing air show parades through the sky, prior to the display, performing for hours, to the amazement of the audience. Once darkness falls the thunder begins, and for thirty minutes music correlates with an amazing waterfall of colors and light which fall from the sky, illuminated by the Ohio River.
The festival also hosts such exciting historic events as duel between Louisville’s river boat Belle and Cincinnati’s Delta Queen, dubbed the Great Steamboat Race. Another amazing air show boasting 35 hot air balloons which lead a chase to catch the rabbit balloon, definitely earning its title as the Great Balloon Race. There is also marathons, a Pegasus Parade (incidentally this parade is one of the largest held in the U.S.) and the Cherokee Triangle Old Tyme Fair an outdoor festival of art, live entertainment, and food.
The Kentucky Derby festival is considered the grand openers, which mark the beginning of the racing season, drawing fans from across the globe. The festival builds the anticipation and excitement which lead to the most famous and world renowned horse race the Kentucky Derby.
