Opening Ceremonies: Thunder over Louisville

Sponsored by:  

Kentucky Derby Festival

Location:  

Downtown Riverfront

Description:  

Thunder Over Louisville is not only the official opening ceremonies for the two fun-filled weeks of the Kentucky Derby Festival, it is also the nation's largest annual fireworks show. Rated as one of the top 100 events in North America.

Admission:  

Free

Date:  

Apr. 12, 2008

Adidas Basketball Classic

Sponsored by:  

Kentucky Derby Festival

Location:  

Freedom Hall, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209

Description:  

Some of the top prep basketball players in the nation will be on hand for the Adidas Derby Festival Basketball Classic at Freedom Hall.
Not only does the Adidas Derby Festival Basketball Classic feature blue-chip talent from around the country, the event has helped raised more than $800,000 in charitable donations since its inception. Groups that have benefited from the donations include the Ronald McDonald House, Kosair Charities and the Crusade for Children.

Admission:  

$10 and $15 reserved

Date:  

Apr. 19, 2008

Kroger's Kentucky Derby Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront

Sponsored by:  

Kentucky Derby Festival

Location:  

Waterfront Park, Great Lawn

Description:  

Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront returns in 2008 as the Ultimate Entertainment Experience! Familiar Derby Festival events will be held at Fest-a-Ville, including the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glimmer, the Arison Run for the Rose,’ WineFest and the AT&T Volleyball Classic. The venue will also be jam-packed with must-see concerts, a kids’ play area, corn toss and bocce, bingo, plus activities like movie nights, bourbon country and a mascot party. From the opening day ribbon-cutting to the final Derby Eve concert, Fest-a-Ville will be the downtown destination at Derby Festival time.

Admission:  

free with 2008 Pegasus Pin

Hours:  

11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Dates:  

Apr. 24, 2008 to May. 2, 2008

Chow Wagon

Sponsored by:  

Kentucky Derby Festival

Location:  

Festival Plaza, Waterfront Park

Description:  

No reservations are needed for the ultimate dining and socializing experience. It's Derby Festival time and that means getting together for good food and great music. The Derby Festival Waterfront Chow Wagon will feature the best in carnival-style cuisine, cold beverages and the hottest live music. In 2008, the MEGA-Chow Wagon returns to Waterfront Park on the Ohio River. The Miller Lite Music Stage will feature will feature more than 20 live concerts with local and regional entertainment and a wide variety of musical genres including urban, reggae, Latino, country and rock. A second talent stage will be featured in the RJ Reynolds “Light Up Lounge” (age restricted) – a large tent inside the Chow Wagon gates that will be open on various days from 7 p.m. to close.

Admission:  

free with 2008 Pegasus Pin

Hours:  

11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sunday 1-11 p.m.

Dates:  

Apr. 24, 2008 to May. 2, 2008

American Founders Bank Festival WineFest

Sponsored by:  

Kentucky Derby Festival

Location:  

Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront

Description:  

Did you know that there are over 20 wineries located here in Kentucky and nearly 30 in Indiana? The Derby Festival's WineFest event is your chance to learn more about them, and sample some great wines at a comfortable venue. The WineFest will be held Tuesday, April 29th, and Wednesday, April 30th, at the overlook on the Waterfront, next to the Derby Festival Chow Wagon. Tickets include a complimentary wine glass, event pin and samplings of some of Kentucky's finest beverages.

Admission:  

$31

Hours:  

5-9 p.m.

Dates:  

Apr. 29, 2008 to Apr. 30, 2008

Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw Broadcast

Sponsored by:  

Fourth Street Live!

Location:  

420 W. Liberty St., Ste. 265 Louisville KY,40202

Description:  

Join ESPN and Churchill Downs as the owners and trainers for Kentucky Derby select their starting gate position. A live performance by country music star Jason Aldean follow immediately after.

Admission:  

Free

Hours:  

5 p.m. - 12 midnight

Dates:  

Apr. 30, 2008 to May. 1, 2008

URL:  

www.4thstlive.com

Republic Bank Pegasus Parade

Sponsored by:  

Kentucky Derby Festival

Location:  

West on Broadway from Campbell to 9th Street

Description:  

The 53rd parade promises to be a spectacle of colorful floats, marching bands, giant inflatables, equestrians and celebrities parading down Broadway in downtown Louisville.

Admission:  

$9 Bleacher seating; $11 chair seating; all other viewing areas free

Hours:  

5 p.m.

Date:  

May. 1, 2008

Derby Nights

Sponsored by:  

Fourth Street Live!

Location:  

420 W. Liberty St., Ste. 265 Louisville KY,40202

Description:  

Make your Derby celebration complete at Fourth Street Live! This year's event features live music, national DJ's, celebrity parties, corporate receptions, and more!

Admission:  

Free

Hours:  

8 p.m. - 4 a.m.

Dates:  

May. 1, 2008 to May. 4, 2008

URL:  

www.4thstlive.com

134th Kentucky Oaks

Sponsored by:  

Churchill Downs

Location:  

700 Central Avenue, Louisville, KY 40208

Description:  

The Kentucky Oaks stands as one of the most prestigious and richest 3-year-old filly events in the country and will celebrate its 134th running on Friday, May 2, 2008. The Oaks is held each year on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby.

Date:  

May 2, 2008

Phone:  

(502) 636-4400

URL:  

www.kentuckyoaks.com

B-52's Headline Derby Eve Jam

Sponsored by:  

Kentucky Derby Festival

Location:  

Fest-a-Ville at the Waterfront

Description:  

The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce that the Derby Eve Jam will return to its event schedule after a hiatus of more than 10 years. Presented by Kentuckiana Honda Dealers, the 2008 Derby Eve Jam on Friday, May 2, will feature the B-52’s – the “World’s Greatest Party Band.” The concert will be held on the Great Stage at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront. Admission for the show, which will begin at 9 p.m., is a 2008 Pegasus Pin.

Admission:  

2008 Pegasus Pin

Hours:  

9 p.m.

Date:  

May. 2, 2008

134th Kentucky Derby

Sponsored by:  

Churchill Downs

Location:  

700 Central Avenue, Louisville, KY 40208

Description:  

Since 1875, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky has been the home of the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred horse racing. There’s nothing like the excitement and pageantry surrounding this annual rite of passage. A day of Mint Juleps, Derby Hats and the most famous two minutes in sports, this legendary race is not to be missed!

Date:  

May. 3, 2008

Phone:  

(502) 636-4400

URL:  

www.churchilldowns.com