Kentucky Derby Festival Royalty Officially Crowned
A Tradition Dating Back to the 1950’s
The Royal Court is one of the oldest traditions of the Kentucky Derby Festival tradition, dating back to the 1950s by The Fillies, Inc (a group of women dedicated to supporting the Kentucky Derby Festival.)
The Royal Court consists of a group of five young women chosen to conduct all Derby events. Most importantly, they must be a true representation of the city of Louisville. Every January, thirty finalist Derby Princesses are selected from a pool of more than 1000 applicants! Later on, only five are chosen to make up the court based on knowledge of the festival, personality, academics, poise, and community initiatives.
The Royal Court attends approximately 70 events during a span of two weeks that lead up to the Kentucky Derby Festival. Dating back to tradition, the queen is then chosen by a spin wheel at the Annual Fillies Derby Ball.
On Monday morning, five Kentucky females were officially crowned as the 2020 Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court at Macy’s in Oxmoor Center.
What Are the Perks of the Royal Court?
+ $2000 scholarship
+ Full wardrobe for the festival
+ VIP access to all events
+ Chauffeur for the entire two week span
More About the Kentucky Derby Festival:
The Kentucky Derby Festival is an annual festival held in Louisville, Kentucky during the two weeks preceding the first Saturday in May, the day of the Kentucky Derby. The festival, Kentucky’s largest single annual event, first ran from 1935 to 1937, and restarted in 1956 and includes the following events:
+ Thunder Over Louisville – the largest firework display in North America
+ The Great Balloon Race
+ The Steamboat Race (Belle of Louisville)
+ The Pagasus Parade
+ The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
+ The Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic
>> More articles on Kentucky and horses.
2020 Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court:
Giavanna Combs [Louisville, KY]
Junior at the University of Louisville majoring in psychology with a minor in Pan-African Studies. She is a Woodford R. Porter Scholar, Denny Crum Scholar, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She also participated in the medical companion program with the Louisville Veterans Affairs Hospital.
Hannah Maria Edelen [Springfield, KY]
Senior at Northern Kentucky University dual majoring in History and Communication Studies with a minor in Organizational Leadership and Honors. She was the 2018-2019 Student Body President, has served as a Henry Clay Scholar on Capitol Hill, and is currently serving as the NKU Inaugural Presidential Fellow. Hannah is a first-generation college student, member of Kappa Delta Sorority, a 2020 Teach for America Corp Member, and supports her personal initiative “Read Ready Kentucky”
Leah Hazelwood [Lebanon, KY]
Sophomore at the University of Louisville dual majoring in Political Science and Liberal Studies with concentrations in Race & Gender Studies, Global Public Health, and Economics. She is a McConnell Scholar, a Harvard Kennedy Public Policy Leadership Scholar, the College of Arts and Sciences Vice President, a member of Chi Omega Sorority, and is a “children’s advocate” for the Center for Women and Families.
Molly Jett [Louisville, KY]
Senior at Bellarmine University double majoring in Communication and Design, Art, and Technology. Before completing her journalism internship abroad in Shanghai, China, she was a public affairs intern for the Kentucky Association of Counties. Molly is also a Bellarmine University Women’s Council Scholar, member of Phi Mu Sorority, former local news intern, and active volunteer at the Kentucky Refugee Ministries.
Hannah Robb [Louisville, KY]
Junior at Bellarmine University studying Business Administration and Marketing. She is a first-generation college student and business woman. She hopes to continue her work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Toys for Tots organization as a local volunteer coordinator.
