The Kentucky Derby Festival includes Southern Indiana, too.
Yes, it’s called the Kentucky Derby Festival, but there are plenty of reasons why those of
us in Southern Indiana should take time to enjoy the festival, too.
HORSESHOE FOUNDATION KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL FAMFEST
4-8 P.M. April 11.
Downtown New Albany (next to the YMCA)
This new family-friendly event includes a special preview of the 2018 Festival, featuring a hot air balloon, inflatables, mini golf and bed races, face painting and more. The first 1,000 attendees receive a custom Pegasus Pin.
April 16
KENTUCKY DER BY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION PRO-AM GOLF
TOURNAMENT. Noon Tee Time. Wildwood Country Club. Team entries $2,000.
Individual entries $500. Entries open to the public, includes lunch, golf with local pro,
cocktail reception following tournament and gifts. Contributing Sponsor: KPGA. Media
Sponsor: 1450/96.1 The Big X Sports Radio WXVW. Prize Sponsor: Horseshoe Southern
Indiana. A Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation event. A portion of the entry fee is tax
deductible. Contact Jon Pollock at jpollock@kdf.org or (502) 572-3833 to register.
Tuesday, April 17
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL “TASTE OF DERBY FESTIVAL®”. 5:30 PM
– 8 PM. Louisville Slugger Field. Features exquisite fare from over 65 of Louisville’s finest
restaurants and beverage companies. Bourbon tasting, wine tasting and a silent auction.
Tickets $85, available in advance only. Coordinated by Dare to Care Food Bank. All proceeds
to benefit Dare to Care. Sponsor: Brown-Forman Corporation. Media Sponsor: 840 WHAS.
For more information call (502) 966-3821.
Thursday, April 19 – Sunday, April 29
STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION
DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM. April 19-April 28: 10 AM – 8:30
PM, Closed April 21, April 29: 10 AM – 5 PM, Semi-finals 6 PM. Seneca Golf Course Driving
Range. $1 per shot and free for spectators. April 22: Jr. Day – Under 18 get 2 shots for
$1. April 23: First Responders and Veterans Day get 2 shots for $1. April 24: Ladies Day –
Ladies get 2 shots for $1. April 25: Long Drive Contest 11 AM – 7 PM, 2 shots for $5. Senior
Special Weekdays 10 AM – 2 PM, 62 and up get 2 shots for $1. Grand Prize: $1 million.
First Prize (if no Hole-in-One): $5,000. Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor:
Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsors: WLKY TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.
Friday, April 20
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL THEY’RE OFF!® LUNCHEON. 11:30 AM.
Galt House East Grand Ballroom. Tickets: $680 Table of 8 or $85 each. Official Kentucky Derby
Festival kick off luncheon. Contributing Sponsors: Fifth Third Bank, Kentucky Blood Center,
and Kentucky Proud. Media Sponsor: Business First. Official Hotel: The Galt House.
Saturday, April 21 – Sunday, April 29
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL VOLLEY BALL CLASSIC.
One of the country’s largest outdoor volleyball tournaments. Contributing Sponsors: ASICS and Mikasa. Media
Sponsor: 98.9 Radio Now. For more information call The Volleyball Connection/Tandem
Sports (502) 582-3530.
Sand Divisions at Baxter Jacks
April 21 and 22: 9 AM – 9 PM and
April 28 and 29: 9 AM – 9 PM
Grass Divisions at Seneca Park at the Tennis Courts
April 28 and 29: 9 AM – 6 PM
Saturday, April 21
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONIES: THUNDER
OVER LOUISVILLE®. FoodFest and Ford’s Thunder On the Ground open at 11:00 AM,
Airshow at 3:00 PM, Fireworks at 9:30 PM. Downtown Louisville Riverfront, Waterfront Park,
River Road and Southern Indiana shoreline.
Sponsors: Horseshoe Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer, UPS, and Valero, along with Papa
John’s Thunder Funders. Thunder on the Ground Sponsor: Ford Motor Company. Official
Hotel: The Galt House. Official Sound Sponsor: Logan Lavelle Hunt.
All-day live coverage on WLKY TV and 106.9 PLAY. Event programs distributed April 21 by
The Courier-Journal. Featuring the Thunder Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park and the East
River Road Beer Garden. Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin. (Open 11AM – 11PM.
NO TENTS, STAKES, TAPE OR PETS.) Meijer Family Fun Zone on the Belvedere. Admission
is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin. (Open 11AM – 11PM. NO TENTS, STAKES, TAPE OR PETS.)
North Great Lawn area opens at 9 AM. Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin.
(NO TENTS, STAKES, TAPE OR PETS.)
ThunderOverLouisville.org
Sunday, April 22
JUNIOR DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL
$1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTESTSM. Seneca Golf Course
Driving Range. 10 AM – 8:30 PM (Open Daily through April 29). Under 18 get 2 shots for
$1. Over 18 is $1 per shot. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no Hole-in-One): $5,000.
Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media
Sponsors: WLKY TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.
Monday, April 23
FIRST RESPONDERS AND VETERANS DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL $1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE
GOLF CONTEST. Seneca Golf Course Driving Range. 10 AM – 8:30 PM (Open Daily
through April 29). First Responders and Veterans get 2 shots for $1. Other participants
pay $1 per shot. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no Hole-in-One): $5,000. Sponsor:
Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Supporting Sponsor:
Academy Sports + Outdoors. Media Sponsors: WLKY TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.
Tuesday, April 24
LADIES DAY AT STOCK YARDS BANK KEN TUCKY DER BY FESTIVAL $1
MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTEST. Seneca Golf Course
Driving Range. 10 AM – 8:30 PM (Open Daily through April 29). Ladies get 2 shots for $1.
Other participants pay $1 per shot. Grand Prize: $1 million. First Prize (if no Hole-in-One):
$5,000. Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation.
Media Sponsors: WLKY TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville.
Wednesday, April 25
LONG DRIVE CONTEST AT STOCK YARDS BANK KENTUCKY DERBY
FESTIVAL $1 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE-IN-ONE GOLF CONTEST.
Seneca Golf Course Driving Range. 11 AM – 7 PM. 2 shots for $5. Sponsor: Stock Yards
Bank. Contributing Sponsor: Louisville Parks & Recreation. Media Sponsors: WLKY TV, 840
WHAS and Insider Louisville.
Thursday, April 26
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL HEALTH FAIR PRESENTED BY
WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS. 4 PM – 8 PM. NEW LOCATION: Fourth Street Live!
Featuring exhibits, activities and screenings for families that will be educational and
entertaining. Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. Sponsor: WellCare Health Plans.
Contributing Sponsors: Bluegrass Pain Consultants, PLLC and KentuckyOne Health. Media
Sponsors: 100.1/103.5 WAKY and Today’s Transitions.
Thursday, April 26 – Friday, April 27
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL RACE EXPO AND PACKET PICK-UP
PRESENTED BY FLORASTOR. Kentucky Exposition Center West Wing. Two-day
Expo where you can see the latest running gear, get nutritional advice, pre-race running tips
and pick up your race packet for Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon/iMarathon® and PNC
Tour de Lou. Sponsor: Florastor. Official Bourbon: Jim Beam. Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX.
Thursday: 4 PM – 8 PM. Expo and Packet Pickup.
Friday: 11 AM – 9 PM Expo and Packet Pickup
Thursday, April 26 – Saturday, April 28
U.S. BANK KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL GREAT BALLOONFEST.
Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. Sponsor: U.S. Bank.
Contributing Sponsor: V.G Reed & Sons.
April 26:
7 AM Launch. U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Charity Race. Bowman Field.
8:30 PM. U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer.
Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Media Sponsor: Q103.1.
April 27:
7 AM Launch. U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival
Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race. Bowman Field.
Public entrance off Pee Wee Reese Road.
Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX.
9 PM. U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow. Kentucky Exposition Center.
Gates open at 6 PM. $8 KEC parking fee. Media Sponsor: 106.9 PLAY. Broadcast special by
WLKY TV on MeTV Louisville 32.2.
April 28:
7 AM Launch. U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race®. Bowman Field.
Public entrance off Pee Wee Reese Road. Media Sponsor: 99.7 DJX.
Thursday, April 26 – Friday, May 4
KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATER FRONT. Open Daily 11 AM
– 11 PM, except Sunday 12 PM – 10 PM. Waterfront Park. ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT
EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with national talent, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable
playground, midway rides and more. Happy Hour Weekdays 4-6 PM, $2 beer. Pegasus Play-
Ville Free Rides (kids 12 and under) 4 PM – 6 PM daily, courtesy of AETNA Better Health of
Kentucky. Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT
PERMITTED). Sponsor: Kroger. Media Sponsor: The Courier-Journal.
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON® Open Daily 11 AM – 11
PM, except Sunday 12 PM – 10 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Outdoor food &
live music venue. Sponsors: Kroger and Miller Lite. Featuring the Miller Lite Music Stage.
Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED).
Friday, April 27
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL NEIGH-MASTE ON THE WATER FRONT.
12 – 1 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn. Relax and recharge at this
yoga event at the Waterfront. Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. (FOOD, DRINK
AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING RUN FOR THE ROPES.
6 PM – 7:30 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn.
Special meet-and-greet with OVW stars at 5 p.m., followed by six big matches including
a special “all-for-1 one-for all” over the top rope Battle Royal. Admission is free with a
2018 Pegasus Pin®. For more information call (502) 759-7665. Presented by Ohio Valley
Wrestling. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL DERBY OF THE DEAD PRESENTED
BY LOUISVILLE ZOMBIE WALK. 6 PM – 11:00 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the
Waterfront, Great Lawn. Entertainment by: Nulydedz zombie rockabilly band, sideshow and
fire arts entertainment by Artemisia, local artists & zombie themed wares, zombie car show,
zombie make up demonstration by Team Demon Fabulous from The Devil’s Attic. Admission
is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. For more information visit derbyofthedead.com (FOOD,
DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
MAX FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST LOGAN HEN DER SON AT
WATER FRONT JAM. 8 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Admission is free
with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. VIP Viewing Tickets $20, online at KDF.org. Media Sponsor: 98.9
Radio Now (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL KEN-DUCKY DERBY. 4 PM – 8PM. Call to the
post 7 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. See the launch of 20,000 ducks into
the Ohio River for a chance to race and compete for prizes. Proceeds benefit Harbor House.
Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. To adopt a duck, visit DuckTruck.org. For
more information go to KDF.org or call (502) 717-0072. Sponsor: Swope Family Dealerships.
Media Sponsor: WLKY TV. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL DA’VILLE CLASSIC DRUM LINE
SHOWCASE. 5 PM. The Louisville Palace. High school and community drum lines from
Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana showcase their creativity, musicianship, and pageantry. General
Admission Seating is $10. For tickets call, (502) 905-2908. Media Sponsor: B96.5 FM.
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL FITNESS JAM. 5 PM – 7 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
on the Waterfront, Great Lawn. Join the best Zumba and U-JAM instructors in the area, wear
comfortable clothes and come burn calories with the fitness craze that is sweeping the
nation! Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. For information call (502) 554-4486
or visit www.kyfitnessparty.com. Sponsor: ELeet Stone Countertops. Media Sponsor: 93.1
The Beat. (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL THESLICE: SPICE, STYLE AND SOUL.
6 PM – 9 PM. The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage. Live entertainment and
food tasting. Proceeds benefit charities and assistance programs. Tickets include 2018
Pegasus Pin. $65 in advance, $75 day of event. For tickets call (502) 584-4602, visit
TheSliceofLouisville.org or purchase at Kentucky Center for African American Heritage,
Better Days Records at Lyles Mall or JAM BUSTERS at 4906 Poplar level Road. Media
Sponsor: MAGIC 101.3.
BELTERRA CASINO RESORT CONCERT FEATURING TYLER FARR
WITH SPECIAL GUEST MITCHELL TENPENNY. 8 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
on the Waterfront. Waterfront Jam concert featuring a salute to Veterans and Active Duty
Military. Free admission for Veterans and Active Military all day. General Admission is free
with a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. VIP Viewing Tickets $20, online at KDF.org. Sponsor: Belterra
Casino Resort. Media Sponsor: 97.5 WAMZ (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
Sunday, April 29
PNC KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL TOUR de LOU. Staggered start based
on distance: 62.1 Metric Century – 8:30 AM, 35-mile ride – 8:40 AM, 20-mile ride – 8:50
AM. Open course Cycling event with three distances for beginners to experienced cyclists.
Start and finish near Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville at Waterfront Park. Entry fees and registration
info at KDF.org. Sponsor: PNC. Official Safety Sponsor: AAA East Central. Contributing
Sponsors: Baptist Health Sports Medicine, Louisville Marriott Downtown, and Scheller’s
Fitness & Cycling. Media Sponsors: 102.3 Jack FM and The Courier-Journal. Supporting
Sponsors: Louisville Bicycle Club and Louisville Water Company.
MAYOR’S DERBY BRUNCH ON THE RIVER . 11 AM-1:30 PM. Riverside, the
Farnsley-Moremen Landing. A festive brunch featuring a traditional Kentucky breakfast,
music, and tours of the property including the Moremen Family Chapel. Tickets $100 or $750
for Table of 8. For tickets or information call (502) 935-6809 or Riverside-Landing.org.
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL “V FOUNDATION” CELEBRITY BOCCE
TOURNAMENT. 12 – 4 PM. Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Great Lawn. Have
fun and play bocce with celebrities for a great cause at the Waterfront. For registration
information contact JohnS@ESPNLouisville.com. Admission for spectators is free with
a 2018 Pegasus Pin®. Sponsor: Money Concepts (FOOD, DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT
PERMITTED.)
THE CHILDREN’S TEA WITH THE KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL
PRINCESSES PRESENTED BY BIGELOW TEA. 1 PM – 4 PM. Crowne Plaza,
Louisville Airport. Children ages 4 and up invited to meet the Kentucky Derby Festival Queen
and Princesses. Tickets $35 each. Reservation required. Purchase tickets online at www.
thefillies.org. Sponsor: Bigelow Tea. Produced by: The Fillies, Inc. For more information
contact Cindy Lewandowski at 502-295-1740 or cindy2018tea@gmail.com
KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL YMCA HEALTHY KIDS DAY® PRESENTED
BY HUMANA AND NORTON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. 1 – 4 PM. Free,
family friendly fitness event on the North Great Lawn at Waterfront Park inside Kroger’s
Fest-a-Ville. Features interactive activities, community vendors, inflatables, group exercise
classes and the miniFun Run. For kids ages 3 and older, plus adults. Coordinated by YMCA
of Greater Louisville. Sponsors: Humana and Norton Children’s Hospital. Media Sponsors:
B96.5 FM. For more information visit YMCALouisville.org or call 502-587-9622. (FOOD,
DRINK AND PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.)
PASSPORT KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL GOSPELFEST. 3 PM – 6 PM.
Gospel Choir Showcase. NEW LOCATION: St. Stephen Church Louisville. Admission is free
with a 2018 Pegasus Pin©. Sponsor: Passport. Contributing Sponsors: Hosparus Health
and Kentucky Department of Tourism. Media Sponsors: B96.5 FM and WLOU 104.7 FM.
For more events and information, go to KDF.org.
