Kentucky Derby Festival 2021 Events Resume With Virtual & Social Distancing Events
The Kentucky Derby Festival is an annual celebration in the City of Louisville, KY. The festival takes “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” and turns Derby City into a month-long party. It includes 70-plus events every spring, which all lead up to historically significant “First Saturday in May.” This event was first started in 1935, and is now Kentucky’s largest single annual event. Reimagined for a pandemic, the Kentucky Derby Festival 2021 edition is set to be different.
SEE ALSO: 2022 Kentucky Derby Festival: Everything You Need To Know
Although the festival was canceled last year, the 2021 festival plans to resume. With that being said, don’t plan on attending events in-person at the same levels as prior gatherings. This year’s focus will be on virtual attendance and/or social distancing.
SEE ALSO: The Royal Court of 2020
Thunder Over Louisville
Thunder Over Louisville is known as the largest annual fireworks display in North America. Since 1997, it has drawn an average attendance of 625,000 people. Crowds line the banks of the Ohio River, around the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge. Fireworks are launched from the bridge itself, as well as eight 400-feet long barges.
However, this year things will be a little different than normal. “While we can’t gather at the waterfront, we’re still planning to have elements of the air show and fireworks,” said Kentucky Derby Festival 2021 president and CEO, Matt Gibson. “We’re working with our sponsors, partners, and local media outlets to help share this unique Thunder tribute with the community.”
Instead of crowds gathering on the waterfront, it will be a tribute on April 17. Suggestions from officials concluded it would be a “citywide” celebration instead of on the Great Lawn. Stay tuned for more details which will be released in the coming months!
Fireworks Finale & Recap
Air Show
This has grown to become one of the top five air shows in the country. Further updates on the annual air show will be released with the coming updates on Thunder Over Louisville in general. Expect this to be televised with a mixture of taped and live segments. Check back here for ongoing updates.
Great BalloonFest
The Great BalloonFest typically consists of several balloon-related events over the weekend. These include the Balloon Glimmer, Great Balloon Glow, Great Balloon Race, and more. They have now been running for 48 years, and are considered some of the best in the country.
As things will be slightly different than normal this year, coordinators have yet to release the final schedule. More details will be released in the weeks to come as organizers finalize their plans.
Great Balloon Glow
The Great Balloon Glow has typically been the most popular event. However, it is unclear how the event will be held this year. Traditionally, it would attract crowds of 50,000 people. Therefore, limited attendance may be in place if it still held. If so, pilots of hot air balloons will fire their burners, lighting up the Louisville sky in sequence with a musical score.
Great Balloon Race
The first Great Balloon Race was first held in 1973, sending hot air balloons through the Louisville skyline.
The Great Steamboat Race
The Great Steamboat Race is an annual steamboat race which happens on the Wednesday before the Kentucky Derby. That falls on April 28, 2021 for this year’s riverboat race. The iconic George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge serves as the start and finish line. Paddle-wheel riverboat racing has been a part of the Kentucky Derby Festival since 1963. The Belle of Louisville has been a part of the race since inception.
Pegasus Parade
The Pegasus Parade is an annual event held during Derby week, which is one of the largest parades in America. This event was actually the first event held by KDF, after it was restarted in 1956. However, it will also be modified this year, and will not include the traditional downtown march. Nor will the overall festival host events that were previously held indoors. Just like Thunder, the Pegasus Parade will transform to a “tribute” this year.
However, the parade will travel through sections of Louisville from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 10th and 11th. Moreover, a complete broadcast show will take place on the traditional parade date of Thursday, April 29. You can watch that official production on WAVE 3 News, the TV broadcast partner.
Plus, you might watch the parade pass through your neighborhood. Here’s where you might see it:
Day 1: Saturday, April 10, 1-5 p.m. – Click Here for Saturday’s Parade Route.
South Louisville, Shively, Algonquin, Park Duvalle, Parkland, Chickasaw, Shawnee, Portland, Russell, Central Business District (Downtown), and across the Clark Memorial (2nd Street) Bridge into Jeffersonville, IN.
Day 2: Sunday, April 11, 1-5 p.m.
Saint Joseph, Merriweather, Schnitzelburg, Germantown, Tyler Park, Deer Park, Belknap, Hayfield Dundee, Bashford manor, West Buechel, Newburg, Buechel, Fern Creek, Jeffersontown, Douglass Hills, Middletown and Lyndon.
Marathon & miniMarathon
The Humana Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon is the largest annual day of road racing in the Commonwealth. The 2021 running will be the 48th annual miniMarathon, and 20th annual Marathon, which started in 1974.
Runners will have new options to participate this year, either in-person or virtually. Runners who choose the in-person option will do so on a new and unique course with social distancing. Therefore, the 2021 KDF Marathon will be slightly different than year’s past.
Runners across all 50 states and several countries take part in the race. The scenic course itself is a loop, and partially shared amongst the 13.1-mile miniMarathon runners and the 26.2-mile Marathon participants. Those who choose the long route, simply split off at the 11-mile marker of the course, while both finish back where they started. During their route, they will traverse Iroquois Park and pass through Churchill Downs.
The race is held on the last Saturday in April, which maintains its place as the weekend before the Kentucky Derby. For those interested in running, you can signup here.
- miniMarathon
- Event Dates: Thursday April 22, 2021 – Sunday April 25, 2021 (staggered starting times for social distancing)
- Start Time: 6:30am EDT
- Price: $65.00 Race Fee
- Registration: Due by April 16, 2021 at 11:59pm EDT
- Marathon
- Event Date: Saturday April 24, 2021
- Start Time: 6:30am EDT
- Registration Limit: This event is at capacity. Join the Wait List
- Price: $75.00 Race Fee
- Registration: Registration ends April 16, 2021 at 11:59pm EDT
Derby Festival Poster
The Kentucky Derby Festival Poster 2021 is designed by Louisville-based artist Andy Perez. He made the KDF 2021 poster from pieces of prior Derby posters.
He states, “in my mind, the Pegasus is one of the most iconic images of the Kentucky Derby Festival, so I wanted to include that in a new way.” Therefore, his interpretation features a collage of the Pegasus. The piece is titled “Going Up.”
Tour de Lou
The Tour de Lou is set to happen this year, marking its 8th running. Entrants will be able to participate either virtually or with social distancing in place. Also, bike riders will have several options when it comes to distance as outlined below. Registration closes April 15th to prepare for the rides on April 18th. Those interested can sign up here.
- Distance Options Include:
- 20 Mile Ride – (Open course, no streets closed.)
- 35 Mile Ride – (Open course, no streets closed.)
- 62.1 Mile Ride /Metric Century – (Open course, no streets closed.)
Royal Court
The Royal Court has been announced, including Gia Combs, Hannah Edelen, Leah Hazelwood, Molly Jett, and Hannah Robb.
147th Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs plans to host the running of the 147th Kentucky Derby on May 1st, 2020. However, that will be with reduced capacity. Regardless of how many people are in attendance, you can expect them to be decked out in the wildest Derby hats.
If you’d like to attend the Kentucky Derby in person, you can check for tickets below.
About Kentucky Derby Festival
The Kentucky Derby Festival was first held in 1935 through 1937. However, since 1956 it has became an annual event in the City of Louisville. Today it consists of 70-plus cultural and sporting events leading up to the Kentucky Derby. It is the single largest annual event in the Commonwealth, attracting more than 1.5 million locals and tourists.
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