Chow Wagon History

Begun in 1972, when Philip Morris brought its "Marlboro Chuckwagon" mobile kitchen to downtown Louisville for a Derby breakfast, the Chow Wagon's have become one of the most widely recognized and popular Derby Festival Week activities. Chow Wagon Group

Remaining free to the public with a Pegasus Pin, the community turns out in droves to celebrate the Kentucky Derby Festival with traditional Chow Wagon foods and nightly entertainment. Peak attendance of 240,000 was reached in 1991 during a beautiful 10-day weather run.

Chow Wagon locations have moved throughout the city over the years as different properties became available. The first site was a lot that now holds the Kentucky Center on Main Street. The neighborhood party that began in the 1970s with one downtown location has been held throughout the city at various locations to attract a more regional draw. The downtown waterfront location remains a crowd favorite and the most popular site.

Much of the success of the Chow Wagon is due to its non-stop live music and entertainment. Live entertainment has been a featured attraction since about 1990. Many regional acts, as well as nationally known performers, have graced the Talent Stages. The musical content has ranged from blues and bluegrass to rock, urban and country.

The ingredients that have remained constant in the recipe for this Festival favorite are great music, good carnival-style food, the low-cost admission of a Pegasus Pin and the desire for this community to celebrate spring and the Derby Festival in an old-fashioned "neighborhood block party" of sorts.