Festival Blog

On Friday, January 22nd, members of the Kentucky Derby Festival Official Group on Facebook will be the first to learn the 2010 theme for this year’s festivities. All members of the group will receive special notice on Friday at 9 a.m. with the theme details, as well as an exclusive look at various components of the theme and how it will be incorporated into the 2010 Festival.

The Festival’s advertising agency, CurrentMarketing, worked with the Festival’s staff to design the 2010 theme. It will be featured prominently throughout the entire Festival from the events and websites to publications and advertisements, as well as traditional components of the Derby Festival, such as Pegasus Pins.

To become a member of the Festival’s Facebook group and be part of the big unveiling on Friday, just go to facebook.com, search for the “Kentucky Derby Festival Official Group” and join.

The Festival began integrating social media into its enhanced website in 2009 with Facebook, Twitter, RSS Feeds for news, Youtube and Flickr.

The weather warmed up and the skies cleared just in time for the seventh annual Thunder into Louisville Poker Run on Saturday, Oct. 17, to help raise funds for the 2010 Thunder Over Louisville show, the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies. The event, which was produced by WDRB FOX 41, started at the Bluegrass Harley-Davidson dealership at I-64 and Blankenbaker Parkway and ended at Derby Park Expo Five on Seventh Street Road. Riders paid a $15 entry fee and received a special event pin, in addition to a shot at $1,750 in prize money for the top three “Best Hands” in the Poker Run. Mike Tuell of Orleans, Ind., captured the $1,000 prize for Best Hand. Sam Maiorana of Louisville finished second and won $500; Diane Roach of Louisville finished third and took home $250.

It’s hard to believe this was the seventh consecutive year for the Thunder into Louisville Poker Run. It’s gratifying to see the wide variety of riders taking part - from avid motorcyclists to weekend bikers and their passengers. Everyone seems to have lots of fun and there’s excitement at the finish as all the final poker hands are revealed. It’s a great way to jump start Thunder Funding before the holiday roll around.

Thunder into Louisville sponsors included: FOX 41 WDRB TV, Bluegrass Harley-Davidson, Knob Creek Gun Range, Valumarket, Taco-Tico, Louisville Mega Cavern, Kaufman, Stigger & Hughes, Little John’s Derby Jewelry, Great Clips, Derby Park Expo Five and 95.7 WQMF. Thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and participants who helped Thunder Over Louisville 2010 get off to a roaring good start.

Are you one of those folks that have been wondering what The Henry Clay looks like on the inside?    If so, join us at the 2010 Your Community Bank Poster Premiere on January 28th at 5:30 pm, for your preview.    This beautifully remodeled venue will be hosting the 2010 event and catering will be supplied by Silver Spoon Catering…Yummie.    Hope to see you there.

 The seventh annual Thunder into Louisville Poker Run will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, starting at 10 a.m. at the Bluegrass Harley-Davidson dealership at I-64 and Blankenbaker Parkway. The event, which is a fund-raiser for the 2010 Thunder Over Louisville show and is produced by WDRB FOX 41, will finish at Derby Park Expo Five, 2900 Seventh Street Road. Last year’s motorcycle rally/poker run attracted nearly 500 participants (riders and passengers combined). The riders with the top three poker hands split $1,750 in prize money.

Registration for Thunder Into Louisville, which costs $15 for a single rider and $30 for a tandem (includes special event pin), is open online now at www.Fox41.com or www.kdf.org, at the Derby Festival office, 1001 South Third St. Packet pick-up and same-day registration will be open from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Bluegrass-Harley Davidson. The rain date for the rally is Sunday, Oct. 18. Rally sponsors include: FOX 41 WDRB, Bluegrass Harley-Davidson, Knob Creek Gun Range, Valumarket, Taco-Tico, Louisville Mega Cavern, Kaufman, Stigger & Hughes, Little John’s Derby Jewelry, Great Clips, 95.7 WQMF, and Derby Park Expo Five.

The Kentucky Derby Festival is looking for candidates to comprise next year’s Royal Court and reign over the 2010 Derby Festival. Applications are available now and may be found on the Derby Festival’s website at www.kdf.org. Applications must be postmarked by October 20.

This is a great opportunity for any talented young woman to earn scholarship monies and serve as an official ambassador for one of the world’s leading civic celebrations. Applicants must be single, female residents of Kentucky or the metropolitan area (Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties of Indiana), poised and outstanding in her community. A candidate must be a full-time student during the current academic year, attending a university, college or accredited professional school with a minimum accumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. She must be 18 years old on or before Dec. 31, 2009.

The court will be selected in January with the Queen chosen by a “spin-of-the-wheel” at the Derby Ball on April 16, 2010. Each member of the Royal Court will receive two $1,000 scholarships – one from The Fillies, Inc., and one from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation.  In addition to other sponsor gifts, each woman receives a complimentary wardrobe.  Royal Court fans can follow the progression of the 2010 Program via Facebook.

Four balloonists who participate annually in the U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great BalloonFest are flying in China’s first Hot Air Balloon Festival! The balloons launched Wednesday, August 12th.  Pilot Scott McClinton, who typically flies the U.S. Bank Balloon,  is piloting the soccer ball balloon. Also in attendance is Arison Insurance Pilot Randy Oates.  Randy is flying the Ribbon of Hope balloon, which displays a pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness, and the other side  a purple ribbon, bringing awareness of those victims of  domestic violence.  The event has not been without its challenges, while the crew struggles with the language barrier, the pilots were grounded for a short time over disputed waivers.

To continue following these local pilots adventures overseas click on the link below; http://chinahotairballoonfestival.blogspot.com/

Good luck guys!

The 2010 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade applications are now available online. It’s never too soon to apply to be in one of the top parades in the Country.  Along with the larger than life character inflatables and gorgeous  floats your Band, Equestrian or Specialty unit can be viewed by more than 200,000 people on Broadway this Spring.

The Parade marches west on Broadway from Campbell Street to Ninth Street. The parade steps off at 5 pm on Thursday, April 29th  and is lead by the Festival’s lovable icon, the Absolutely Pegasus balloon. Absolutely Pegasus is escorted down the route by watchful Republic Bank employees.

For additional information on the Pegasus Parade and unit requirements check out  http://www.kdf.org/parade-entry-information.html for all of the details. Better hurry the deadline for all applicants in January 4, 2009.

Gus and Peggy Pegasus are the official costumed mascots of the Derby Festival.  Although they’re usually only seen at Derby Festival events, these winged horses have been out and about this summer making new friends.  Just recently they were spotted at Feeder’s Supply Company’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Gus and Peggy greeted customers, gave away free Pegasus Pins and took photos with fans.

The Kentucky Derby Festival today announced some great news - Walmart is returning as the presenting sponsor of the 2010 Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon.  This sponsorship will allow the Festival to continue to produce one of the top road races in the country and maintain the high standards that participants have come to expect.  Last year’s races reached the cap of 12,000 runners sooner than ever before, with runners registering from all 50 states and a record 13 foreign countries. Registration is open now for the 2010 event at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com.  It’s a good time to sign up now - you can save money on early registration and receive guaranteed entry for next year!