FAQ
Event Related QuestionsWhat would cancel the Balloon Race, mini, Thunder etc.?
Weather is always a factor with outdoor events. The Festival's prime concern is safety in making decisions concerning cancellation or postponement. News organizations will receive any cancellation notices immediately from the Festival Press Office. Weather conditions, which might affect specific events:
- Great Balloon Glow: Wind faster than 12 mph and rain will delay or cancel static luminary.
- Great Balloon Race: Wind faster than 12 mph, less than 3 miles visibility, clouds below 1,500 feet and rain will postpone launch. (There are four flight windows for this event - Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday morning and afternoon.
- Derby Festival Marathon/miniMarathon: Race has never been canceled. Only severe weather conditions creating a potential danger, such as lightning, could cause cancellation.
- Thunder Over Louisville Fireworks: Winds in excess of 23 mph will disrupt patterns. Light rain will not affect the show, but a steady downpour could cause delay or cancellation. There is no rain date for Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville.
- Great Steamboat Race: High water could cancel race (generally over 20 feet on upper gauge at McAlpine Dam). River conditions have also altered the course in the past.
- Pegasus Parade: Rain will not stop the parade but may cause some participants to withdraw. Only a severe storm posing a hazard to participants or spectators would cause cancellation.
For registration information, please visit the Marathon/miniMarathon website at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com.
Can I walk the Derby Festival Marathon/miniMarathon?
Yes, you can walk the miniMarathon all runners have from 8 am - 12 pm to be on the course, roads re-open at 12 noon
Where can I get information on performing at Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront and the Chow Wagon?
You will need to contact Tricia Siegwald at tsiegwald@kdf.org.
Do I need tickets to Thunder Over Louisville?
No. There are many areas for Thunder viewing that are absolutely FREE. Viewing locations are open to all with the exception of some restricted areas. The Derby Festival does provide viewing from the Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park and North Great Lawn when wearing a $5 Pegasus Pin.
Are there any hotels conveniently located for getting to Thunder by foot? Are there any that offer packages including tickets to some of the special events?
There are many hotels located near the Louisville Waterfront for a complete list visit the Derby Festival Visitors section. For Special Group Packages contact the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Click here to visit their website.
Can I buy videotape of Thunder Over Louisville?
In the past, we have not created videos for selling. However, some of our broadcast partners have created videos for sale.
Call the Festival Office at (502)-584-6383 for more information.
Where can I get information on handicapped seating for Thunder?
Most of the public viewing for Thunder is accessible on city streets. All parking garages in the vicinity will honor their handicapped spaces.
Can I bring my pet, cooler, lawn chairs, tent, etc to Thunder?
It is the Derby Festival policy, at the suggestion of city governmental agencies that pets, tents, stakes, tape, glass bottles, grills, bikes, skateboards and skates not be allowed in the Thunder venue. Lawn chairs, picnic blankets, 10'x10' tarps and coolers are allowed within the venue, but all parcels are subject to search. (No food or drink is allowed in the Thunder Chow Wagon.)
How do I get tickets to the Derby Festival Basketball Classic?
Tickets available at all TicketMaster locations, call (800) 745-3000 or the KFC Yum! Center box office at (502) 690-9090. (www.ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000).
General Festival Questions
How do I get involved?
- For volunteer information contact: volunteer@kdf.org
- For Foundation Supporting Membership information visit www.derbyfestival.org
- For Marketing/Sponsorship information contact parmstrong@kdf.org
How can a business become a sponsor of the Festival?
For Marketing/Sponsorship information contact Pat Armstrong, Sr. VP Marketing Development at parmstrong@kdf.org.
Where can I get information about Hotel accommodations?
Call the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau 1-888-Louisville (888-568-4684) or visit www.gotolouisville.com
I am interested in being a concessionaire or merchandising vendor for the Festival. Who should I call?
- For Food and Beverage concessions contact Concessions by Cox, 614-297-0735 or ohio@cbycox.com.
- For merchandise vending opportunities contact Jennifer Morgan Keesaer at (502) 584-6383, or jmorgan@kdf.org.
Please visit www.kyderby.com or call Churchill Downs at 1-800-283-3729
What is a Pegasus Pin? What is a Pin Event?
A Pegasus Pin is a way you and your friends can support the Derby Festival. It is a sponsorship program for everyone. With the purchase of a Pegasus Pin you can enter over 30% of the Festival's 70 special events free by wearing a current year Pegasus Pin. Those events designated as pin events have a symbol by them - they are events such as the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race & Glow, Republic Bank Parade Preview Party, Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Water Front and the Chow Wagon, Stock Yards Bank Great Bed Races, Run for the Rose', Volleyball Classic and many more. Check out the full Schedule of Events on this site.
How do I purchase Derby Festival tickets?
Tickets for Kentucky Derby Festival events can be purchased ONLINE in March.
The general public can purchase tickets ONLINE for the following Festival events beginning March 1:
- Derby Festival Basketball Classic (sold through Ticketmaster and KFC Yum! Center)*
- They're Off! Luncheon
- Running Wild Pasta Dinner
- WineFest
- Great Steamboat Race
- Republic Bank Pegasus Parade
If you'd like the opportunity to purchase tickets in ADVANCE. Become a Derby Festival Thorobred. Through your membership, you'll receive an advance ticket order form before tickets go on public sale.
For tickets to the following Events, please contact:
- Fillies Derby Ball Presented by LG&E (502) 572-3856
- Children's Tea with the Derby Festival Princesses: (502) 225-6761
- Knights of Columbus Charity Dinner: (502) 893-2220
- Louisville Urban League Moonlight Cruise: (502) 561-6830 x115
- Taste of Derby Festival (Benefit for Dare to Care): (502) 966-3821
- The Slice of St. Augustine: (502) 581-8292
- 100 Black Men of Louisville Derby Gala: (502) 291-0485
Your ticket to many Festival events is your Pegasus Pin!
