Kentucky Derby Festival

The Kentucky Derby Festival's oldest event - the 54th annual Republic Bank Pegasus Parade - marched down Broadway this evening despite wind gusts reaching 35 mph. The parade is one of the festival's most cherished and popular events, attracting an estimated 200,000 spectators to downtown streets. The theme of this year's parade was "Destinations and Discoveries." Professional golfer and Kentucky native Kenny Perry and his father, Ken, served as the Grand Marshals of the 2009 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade. The University of Louisville's women's basketball team, which reached the championship game of the 2009 NCAA tournament, served as Honorary Grand Marshals.

Kenny Perry, a resident of Franklin, Ky., recently finished runner-up at the 2009 Masters Tournament and was a member of the victorious 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Team, which defeated the European Team last September at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. Perry also finished runner-up in the 1996 PGA Championship at Valhalla. The University of Louisville women's basketball team was the first in school history to reach the NCAA tournament Final Four.

Supporters of Norton Healthcare were cheering down the parade routs as their float took home the Addison McGhee Sweepstakes Award for best overall float. The Kentucky State Fair Board won the Grand Marshal's Award; Kosair Charities/Kosair Shriners won the KDF Board Chair's Award; Purnell's "Old Folks" Sausage won the KDF Parade Chair's Award; Second Chance@Life won the KDF President's Award; Grand Lodge of Kentucky won the Queen's Award and Kentuckiana Pride Festival won the People's Choice Award.

The parade is known for its beautiful equestrian units. Grand Champion Equestrian Unit went to Dunkin Acres Miniature Donkeys. The Top Hands won the Best Mounted Unit, Wells Fargo Stage Coach won the Commercial Driven Unit and Bluegrass Miniature Horse Association won the Non-Commercial Division. Jasper (IND) won the Grand Prize in the Basil Caummisar Battle of the Band competition, with Bedford North Lawrence High School finishing first runner-up. Kosair Charities/Kosair Shriners won the Ray Wimberg Specialty Unit Award, March of Dimes (Super Grover) won the Earl Ruby Inflatable Spirit Award and The Great Wild West Review won the Super Scoopers Award.

It is not surprising that the parade is consistently voted as one of Louisville's favorite events. The parade is a true community asset and generates an economic impact annually of $14 million. More than 90% of the route is free public viewing thanks to the sponsorship of Republic Bank.The parade was lead by their "Absolutely Pegasus" balloon.