The state of Kentucky and the city of Louisville are known worldwide thanks to the fastest and greatest two minutes of sports that takes place every year at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby horse race. But many are unaware that the festivities leading up to this race begin even months before-a lot of energy goes into celebrating and anticipating the results of a 120-second race!
Even though the Kentucky Derby is only 12 days away, you can begin your celebration this week through a variety of events right here in Louisville. Check it out, show up, and get psyched for the Kentucky Derby!
Monday, April 19
King Southern Bank Pro-Am Golf Tournament, Audubon Country Club, Tee times begin at 12pm
$2,000 per team.
Wednesday, April 21
$1 Million Hole in One Ladies Day, Water Tower at River Rd. & Zorn Ave., 10am-8pm
$1 per golf ball, Ladies B1G1 free all day today!
Thursday, April 22-a day FULL of entertainment opportunities!
Pajama Party, Sports & Social Club at 4th Street Live!, 6-9pm Adults 21+ only. Pre-race party to anticipate the Great Bed Races. Wear PJs and enjoy free appetizers.
Bed Making Competition, Location to be updated soon. 6-9pm. Free admission with 2010 Pegasus pin.
Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park, Festival Plaza at Waterfront Park
Daily from 11am-11pm, Saturday 8am-11pm, Sunday 1-11pm. Free admission with 2010 Pegasus pin. Enjoy carnival-style cuisine, cold beverages, and the hottest live music.
Running Wild Expo, Kentucky International Convention Center, http://www.kyconvention.org/ Thursday 11am-7pm & Friday 11am-9pm
Free admission. See latest running gear, get nutritional advice & pre-race running tips, etc. See complete schedule online.
Taste of Derby Festival, Louisville Slugger Field, 5:30-8:30pm
Call Dare to Care food bank at 966-3821 for tickets, which are $75 each ($50 of which is tax-deductible). Sampling of Louisville's best dishes to help a worthy cause. Proceeds benefit Dare to Care Food Bank. Includes bourbon tasting, Bloody Mary contest, wine tasting, and silent auction. See website for complete list of participating restaurants.
Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, Waterfront Park Great Lawn
Open daily until April 30th 11am-11pm, Saturdays 8am-11pm, Sunday 1pm-11pm. Free admission with Pegasus pin. No coolers, can bottles, or pets allowed. Concerts, food, kid's inflatable playground, corn toss, movie night, Bourbon country, and more. See website http://kdf.org/events-Krogers-Fest-a-Ville-on-the-Waterfront.html for more information.
Great Balloon Fest, "Previously recognized by Louisville Magazine as Louisville's "Best Event," the 38th annual U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Race and 18th annual U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow will continue as two of the marquee events of the Derby Festival schedule, in addition to newer ballooning events such as the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Rush Hour Race, U.S. Bank Great Balloon Lift-off and U.S. Bank Great Balloon Tour.
These events come together to create a single, cohesive ballooning experience beloved by the entire community. In recognition of that special community feeling, we're officially designating this entire weekend as the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest.
These five great events take place the weekend before the Kentucky Derby and attract tens of thousands of spectators to the Kentucky Exposition Center and other locations throughout Greater Louisville. In 2009, crowds estimated at more than 75,000 turned out for these family-friendly events." *http://kdf.org/events-US-Bank-Derby-Festival-Great-BalloonFest.html
Great Balloon Tour, Charlie Vettiner Park, 5pm-7pm Preview of balloon events. Kicks off 2010 BalloonFest activities.
Great Balloon Glimmer, At Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, 8pm
Enjoy the chow wagon kick-off as you watch the balloons glow on the Great Lawn.
So this year, don't let the Kentucky Derby Festival be just about the Derby. Instead, take advantage of the opportunity to experience the other great festival offerings, varied enough for every budget. Only a city as fantastic as Louisville could serve up such a month full of festivities!
Check back each week right here with The Vince Carter Team to stay up to date on your Kentucky Derby Festival activities.
The Vince Carter Team
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