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Families are invited to the North Great Lawn inside Kroger’s Festival today, Sunday, April 30, from 1-4 p.m. for the YMCA Healthy Kids Day Presented by Humana. The Derby Festival joined forces with the YMCA of Greater Louisville and Humana to bring free family fun to the Waterfront.
“We are excited to join forces with the award-winning Kentucky Derby Festival team,” said Steve Tarver, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Louisville. “It’s community partnerships like this and the support of Humana that make YMCA Healthy Kids Day a truly unique family event that emphasizes the value of health and fitness for everyone during an exciting time of year in our city.”
Geared toward children ages 3 and older, plus adults, the event will feature interactive and family fitness activities, inflatables and giveaways. The fifth annual miniFun Run for Kids will also be a part of the festivities. The best part is, admission is free!
“This partnership allows us to expand on our miniFun Run event for kids, which started in 2013,” said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO. “There will be activities for children and adults alike, all while promoting healthy lifestyles and healthy families.”
The event is coordinated by YMCA of Greater Louisville with Presenting Sponsor Humana. Joining them are Media Sponsors Today’s Family Magazine and 102.3 The Max.
Food, drink and pets are not permitted. For more information, visit ymcalouisville.org or call 502-587-9622.
The Kentucky Derby Festival is partnering with the Louisville Bicycle Club to produce the PNC Tour de Lou, which will ride through Louisville this Sunday, April 30. Created for cyclists of all experience levels, this is the Festival’s fourth annual bike event. For riders who still want to participate, late registration is available this week. They can register on site at the Kentucky Derby Festival Race Expo at the Kentucky Exposition Center, West Wing, April 27, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Friday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Cyclists who have already registered can pick up their packets at the Expo.)
As in the past, the 2017 PNC Tour de Lou route will be an open course, with two lane or bike lanes provided for over 90% of the route. Cyclist will start and finish at Waterfront Park near Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. There are separate distances based on experience levels:
- 20 miles – Beginner/New to cycling (Open course, no streets closed.)
- 35 miles – Moderate/Experienced (Open course, no streets closed.)
- Metric Century, 62.1 miles – Seasoned (Open course, no streets closed).
The course highlights include a scenic Olmsted Park Tour showcasing Shawnee, Chickasaw, Wayside, Iroquois and Cherokee parks. Cyclists will also travel through neighborhoods around the city from Downtown along Main Street and Waterfront Park, to Portland, Algonquin and South Louisville; as well as Old Louisville NULU, the Highlands and Butchertown.
Late registration (April 27 and 28) is $50. A portion of the registration fee also benefits the Louisville Bicycle Club. For more information, visit www.kdf.org or call (502) 584-FEST.
PNC is Title Sponsor of the event. Official Safety Sponsor: AAA East Central. Contributing Sponsors: Baptist Health Sports Medicine, Louisville Marriott Downtown, and Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling. Media Sponsors: 102.3 The Max and The Courier-Journal. Supporting Sponsors: Louisville Bicycle Club and Louisville Water Company.
Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
The Kentucky Derby Festival’s Celebration Sunday returns this weekend with a Christian Contemporary concert and gospel choir showcase. Featured on the Music Stage at the Chow Wagon, the Passport GospelFest will begin at 2 p.m with performances until 7 p.m. Celebration Sunday presented by WJIE, which will feature Sidewalk Prophets with John Tibbs and Hannah Kerr starts at 5 p.m. on the Great Stage inside Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. Admission to both shows is a 2017 Pegasus Pin.
Packed with powerful performances, the Passport GospelFest will showcase choirs from around the State. Grammy-nominated artist Jason Clayborn and the Atmosphere Changers, St. Stephen Youth Choir, and Sensational Bentleys will headline the event. GospelFest is sponsored by Passport with Contributing Sponsor Kentucky Department of Tourism and Media Sponsors B96.5 and WLOU 104.7.
This year’s Celebration Sunday concert features headlining artist, Sidewalk Prophets, an award-winning Contemporary Christian band. The 2010 Dove Award winner for New Artist of the Year will bring their energetic live-performance to the Great Stage with singles from their latest album like “Prodigal,” “To Live Is Christ,” and “Impossible.” John Tibbs and Hannah Kerr will open the show for the second year in a row. Tibbs, originally from Lexington, KY is a rising songwriter and worship leader whose signature southern heartland roots shine through in his first studio album, “Dead Man Walking.” Kerr, a breakthrough Christian singer from New York is sure to lift the crowd with her latest album, Overflow. Celebration Sunday is sponsored by WJIE.
Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville is open through Derby Eve, Friday, May 5. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, except Sunday 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. This ultimate entertainment experience offers national concerts, family fun, food vendors, a children’s inflatable playground, midway rides and more. Admission is a 2017 Pegasus Pin. Kroger is title sponsor of the event, with contributing sponsor Miller Lite and media sponsor The Courier Journal.
Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin is encouraging residents of District 2 and the surrounding area to come out and enjoy a free event in Petersburg Park on Sunday, April 30th.
In partnership with Kentucky Shakespeare, the Councilwoman is sponsoring the “Shakespeare in the Parks” production of Julius Caesar. It’s the classic tale of political intrigue, deception, betrayal and the murder of a political leader
“We have enjoyed bringing these productions to our area for the last few years and this is a free weekend event for everyone,” says Shanklin. “Petersburg Park is a great place for this event, so bring a lawn chair and come join us.”
Shanklin and other Metro Council members are sponsoring this year’s free production tour of Kentucky Shakespeare in various parks throughout Metro Louisville. The tour is now in its fourth year.
Kentucky Shakespeare, a not-for-profit charitable organization, professional theatre company, and the oldest free Shakespeare Festival in the United States has been offering free Shakespeare in Central Park in Old Louisville during the summer.
This year, “Shakespeare in the Parks” is bringing an 85 minute, six actor version of Julius Caesar beginning at 6:00pm at Petersburg Park located at 5008 E Indian Trail. The event will be held rain or shine.
“We look forward to performing for the people of Newburg and we thank Councilwoman Shanklin and our other Metro Council partners for their support,” says Matt Wallace of Kentucky Shakespeare.
“Shakespeare in the Parks” is halfway through its touring schedule of 23 locations in the Metro Louisville area that will end on May 19th.
For more information about Sunday’s “Shakespeare in the Parks” at Petersburg Park, contact Councilwoman Shanklin’s office at 574-1102.
Festival Officials planning for tonight’s balloon glow, winds could still be a factor.
Derby Festival Officials continue to monitor the weather for the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow, which was rescheduled for tonight at 9 p.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center. While no inclement weather is expected, there is still a potential for high winds. Festival Officials want to make sure patrons know the winds could impact how much the balloons will glow.
“We want balloon fans and their families to come out and join us for our final ballooning event. But, we also want to make sure they know if there are high winds in the area, it could prevent some balloons from glowing or limit access to the balloon field,” said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO.
The Glow is scheduled for tonight at 9 p.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the parking fee is $8. Admission to the event is free with a 2017 Pegasus Pin. If wind conditions are good, the balloon pilots will fire their burners, making the balloons glow against the night sky synchronized to a musical score provided by 106.9 PLAY. The event will also be broadcast live by WLKY TV on MeTV Louisville 32.2.
Metro Councilmen Stuart Benson (District 20) and Robin Engel (District 22) along with the Louisville Metro Police Department’s 7th Division and the Parklands of Floyds Fork will hold the event, “Crashing the Parklands” on April 30 between Noon and 7pm. This FREE family friendly event will include a performance of Julius Caesar by the actors from Kentucky Shakespeare at 1pm followed by a live concert by the pop rock group The Louisville Crashers at 4pm.
In addition to the FREE play and concert, TARC Shuttles will be available to bring people to the park from Fern Creek High School between the hours of 1pm and 6pm at no charge. Representatives from the public safety community as well as other community groups will host information booths at the event. A number of food vendors have been confirmed for persons interested in purchasing food or drinks.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Alcohol is prohibited at this free family event as well as the Parklands. For more information on this event please contact Angela Webster at 502-574-3465.
Perfect weather conditions enabled 22 balloons to take off in the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Rush Hour Race this morning. This is the thirteenth year for the drive-time race event, which was added to the Festival’s BalloonFest schedule in 2005. The competition got underway just after 7 AM at Bowman Field, as light wind took the balloons north west into West Louisville.
The 21 “Hound” balloons took off from Bowman Field in “chase” of the “Hare” – U.S. Bank balloon, piloted by Scott McClinton. McClinton flew for about an hour before landing in Shawnee Park near a construction zone. 6 of the pilots made a measurable toss of their bag of Kentucky bluegrass seed near the target, a giant vinyl U.S. Bank “X.”
With another race still on the docket for the weekend, the overall winner will be chosen based on a points system. As of this morning’s race, the Zaxby’s balloon, piloted by Nick Donner, is the front runner. Donner came within 19 feet, 10 inches of the target laid out by race sponsor and hare balloon U.S. Bank.
Pilots picked their positions for tonight’s U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow at the BalloonFest Position Draw Luncheon held this afternoon. The Glow is scheduled for tonight at 9 p.m. at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Derby Festival Officials are monitoring the weather closely for the event. The final event on the U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest schedule is the U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
Also at today’s luncheon, 15 pilots competed in an indoor target toss to choose a winning charity from Thursday’s U.S. Bank Great Balloon Charity Race (because the race was cancelled Thursday morning). Pilot Dan Hoehler with the Sunnyside of Louisville balloon by SoIN won the competition for the American Red Cross. American Red Cross will be presented a $1,000 check from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation.
Last night’s U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glimmer was a hit at the Waterfront! Conditions drew a crowd of thousands to the Great Lawn. 19 balloons participated in the annual ‘mini-glow’ at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville.
Since the first Great Balloon Race was held in 1973, the Derby Festival’s balloon events have been considered among the best in the country by pilots from all around the world. BalloonFest attractions are annually among the most popular family-friendly events on the Derby Festival schedule.
The Kentucky Derby Festival Great BalloonFest is sponsored by U.S. Bank with Contributing Sponsor V.G Reed & Sons. Q103.1 is the Media Sponsor of the Great Balloon Glimmer. 99.7 DJX is Media Sponsor of the Rush Hour Race and Great Balloon Race. 106.9 PLAY is Media Sponsor of the Great Balloon Glow. WLKY TV is the TV broadcast partner for the Glow.
