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We’re less than a month away from the kick off of the 2018 Kentucky Derby Festival – and there will be even more Festival events for fans to enjoy. New additions to the ever-growing schedule include a new steamboat cruise, flag football, a gala, kickball, zombies, a community-wide clean up, and a move to Southern Indiana. They will be part of the Festival’s schedule of more than 70 events produced each year in the weeks leading up to the first Saturday in May.
“It’s the Festival’s mission to make sure our schedule has a little something for everyone,” said Mike Berry, KDF President & CEO. “We continue to build on the tradition that started in 1956 with a single parade for the community.”
The new events for the 2018 Kentucky Derby Festival include:
- A Derby Festival event in New Albany, Indiana. The Festival is partnering with the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County for the new Horseshoe Foundation FamFest on April 11. The family-friendly event will have a special preview of the 2018 Festival, featuring a hot air balloon, inflatables, mini golf and bed races, face painting and more. The first 1,000 attendees receive a custom Pegasus Pin.
- An effort to help keep the city cleaner and greener. Louisville’s Brightside is making their Community-Wide Cleanup an Official Kentucky Derby Festival event on Saturday, April 14, and will be recruiting volunteers to participate. Contact Brightside for more information.
- Zombies at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. Derby of the Dead Presented by the Louisville Zombie Walk will take over the North Great Lawn on Friday, April 27 complete with live entertainment, zombie themed wares, zombie car show and a zombie make-up demonstration. Admission is free with a 2018 Pegasus Pin.
- Another chance to ride Louisville’s steamboat. The Derby Festival is partnering with Trilogy to host the Steamboat Race Trial on Monday, April 30. The two hour cruise on the Belle of Louisville will be a relaxing way to start Derby Week, including brunch and live entertainment. Plus it’s a practice run for the Belle, as she prepares for the Great Steamboat Race later that week. Tickets $45. Purchase online at KDF.org or call (502) 584-FEST.
- Kickball and flag football tournaments on the Great Lawn. LXC Sports will bring their Flag Football and Kickball Showdowns to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville Derby Week and they’re looking for teams to participate. For more information, check out www.lxcsports.com.
- A Derby Gala with a grand cause. Louisville Urban League’s Derby Gala is now an Official Kentucky Derby Festival Event. Themed Casino Royale, the 2nd annual Derby Gala will be held at the new OMNI hotel on Wednesday, May 2, Tickets: $250. Purchase online at www.lul.org/events/derby-gala or call (502) 585-4622.
The 2018 Kentucky Derby Festival officially kicks-off on Saturday, April 21, with the Opening Ceremonies – Thunder Over Louisville. Over the course of two weeks each year, the Festival attracts an estimated 1 million patrons to the city for its events. But, more than just fun and entertainment, the Festival also generates in excess of $127 million annually for the local economy. More information on all the events can be found at KDF.org.
The largest field in the 17-year history of Kentucky’s National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament produced impressive individual performances and an overall team title for Madison Central High School.
The event was held March 29-31 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville and drew a record 6,504 students from 396 schools across the state.
“The excitement this weekend was contagious. It was heartwarming seeing so many happy faces,” said Lisa Frye, state NASP coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Archery continues to grow in the schools across the state. The children absolutely love the sport. By the looks of all the parents and grandparents that I saw, I’d say they love archery, too.”
Elementary, middle and high school student archers competed for individual and team honors. After practice rounds, each competitor shot 15 arrows at bullseye targets from 10 meters and 15 more from 15 meters for a total possible score of 300.
Anderson County High School freshman Henry Thompson swept the boys’ overall titles in the Kentucky NASP state tournament and the newer Kentucky NASP/International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) 3D Challenge with a score of 298 in each.
The 3D Challenge differs from the traditional bullseye state tournament in that archers shoot at six lifelike foam targets depicting various game animals. The 3D targets are set in a diagonal line from 10 to 15 meters and the scoring rings are the same size and shape of the rings on standard NASP bullseye targets.
The girls division of the Kentucky NASP state tournament came down to a shootout between Simon Kenton High School sophomore Holly Snow and North Laurel Middle School seventh grader Savannah Philpot. They tied for first place with scores of 295. Snow won the tiebreaker and the girls division overall title.
Madison Central won the overall team title in the 2016 Kentucky NASP state tournament and this year finished ahead of Bullitt Central High School. Muhlenberg County High School, Henderson County High School and Lexington’s Lafayette High School filled out the top five.
Pulaski Northern Middle School and Morgantown Elementary won their respective divisions.
The top 10 seniors in the boys and girls divisions in the state tournament received $1,000 scholarships to apply to any post-secondary education.
Lincoln County High School freshman McKenzie Settles earned top individual honors in the girls division of the 3D Challenge. Anderson County High School won the 3D Challenge’s overall team title.
Complete state tournament results are available online at nasptournaments.org. Click on “Tournaments” then select “Kentucky” and “Completed This Season” from the dropdown menus.
The next step for many of the archers who competed in the state tournament is the 2018 NASP Eastern Nationals scheduled May 10-12 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
The National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament will be hosted by Louisville Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation program (AIR) from April 12-15, and the organization is looking for volunteers to help staff the event.
There are a large array of opportunities for those interested in helping out with the event, AIR administrator BJ Levis said. The NWBA is recruiting for the following positions to volunteer for throughout the 2018 NWBT: shot clock; rimekeeper; scorekeeper; event setup; event breakdown; water service; registration/will call assistant; statistician; store assistant; 50/50 raffle volunteer; and greeters/unloaders.
Click here to register.
Louisville has hosted the tournament since 2013. For more information, visit www.nwba.org.
Photo: Neighborhood Place
Neighborhood Place partners offer healthy events and services in April to benefit the entire family including a month-long athletic shoes collection for JCPS students; employment recruitment opportunities with FedEx Ground, ElderCare 4 Families and Sodexo; a Family Spring Fling at Portland Community Center and much more. To learn more about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.
Now through May 4, Athletic Shoe Collection for JCPS Students at Neighborhood Place locations
Donate new or gently used athletic shoes now through May 4th to benefit JCPS students in need, grades Kindergarten through 12th grade Drop off at any of the eight Neighborhood Place locations (find addresses here) or at the Edison Center, 701 W. Ormsby Ave., 2nd floor, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sample items include running shoes, basketball shoes, Chuck Taylors or sneakers. Sponsored by the 15th District Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Clothing Assistance Program (CAP) in partnership with (JCPS) and other community partners.
April. 3, FedEx Ground Employment Opportunities at First Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. Call (502) 313-4700 for more information. A FedEx human resources recruiter will talk one-on-one with individuals interested in a career as a package handler with FedEx Ground.
April 3, ElderCare 4 Families Employment Recruitment at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 244-8446 for more information. An employment recruiter will be on-hand for ElderCare 4 Families, a non-medical in-homecare service for seniors provide help with cooking, cleaning, laundry and personal care.
April 3, Car Seat Safety Check at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call Norton Children’s Hospital at 629-7358 to make an appointment. Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat. Find out if it’s time for a change. Car seat-fitting by appointment only.
April 3, 10 and April 17, Free Tax Preparation Services at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call 502-305-0005 or visit louisvillekyvita.cascheduler.com to make an appointment and to check out IRS documentation needed. Sponsored by VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) with support from First Neighborhood Place.
April 5 and 9, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities
Sodexo, a food-service agency, will provide on-the-spot interviews for positions with Jewish Hospital, Our Lady of Peace and University of Louisville Hospital. Bring your resume and be prepared for an interview. This is one of Sodexo’s busiest hiring seasons. Stop by if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position.
- April 5, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road (T.J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24), 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more information.
- April 9, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4089 for more information.
April. 5, Community Dental Care Information Sessions at First Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Road (T. J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24). Call 502-366-4442 for more information. Community Dental Care is a full-service dental organization designed to increase access to health care in communities with the goal of improving the overall health of the population. Representatives will be on site to provide information about services offered and to assist in scheduling appointments for dental needs or for pediatric health needs.
Mondays and Thursdays, YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call Keyonna Humphrey at 974-8457 for more information and to register. This free program provides a wonderful learning environment for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers focusing on play and exploration. The adult caregiver is required to attend with the child/ren and you may also bring other children ages (0-2).
April 10 and 29, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting
Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
- April 10, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 6 – 8 p.m.
- April 29, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., at the Academy of Shawnee, 6 – 8 p.m.
April 12, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower at First Neighborhood Place, 1 – 3 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. Call 341-5400 for more information. A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers. The class will include a range of information and resources, as well as free baby items, gift cards, prizes, and snacks. Hosted by Seven Counties and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered.
April 12, 25 and 26, Weekly Resource School at Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place
Located at 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. Contact Nannette Bertram Dix at 634-6057 to RSVP and for more information. The Bridges of Hope staff is teaming up with an array of service providers to provide weekly programming and resources focusing on substance prevention, self-sufficiency, health, safety and resiliency. All workshops are free and open to the public.
- April 12 and 26, CHOICES, presented by the Center for Women and Families, is an educational and support program for people affected by and/or sexual violence, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 25, ADHD, presented by Our Lady of Peace, will explain how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) impacts children beyond impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattentiveness. Open to parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors and other concerned individuals, 5 – 8 p.m.
April 14, Family Spring Fling at the Molly Leonard Portland Community Center, 12 – 4 p.m.
Located at the Portland Community Center, 640 North 27th Street. Call 776-0913 for more information. Join us for a day of free fun and games, prizes, food, vendors, “Rec on the Go”, nutrition education, free health screenings and more. Sponsored in collaboration by Portland Community Center, Kentucky State University, 4H, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, JCPS Family Resource Youth Services Centers of Byck Elementary, Portland Elementary, Atkinson Elementary, Kammerer Middle, Western Middle, Ballard High and Academy at Shawnee schools.
April 19, Passport Health Care Informational Table at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 1 – 3 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. A community engagement representative is onsite to answer any questions that Passport members have regarding their plan, benefits and updates on the upcoming waiver.
April 21, Second Annual Spring Parkhill Community Resource Fair at St. Ann’s Campus
Located at 1515 Algonquin Pkwy. Contact Nannette Bertram Dix at 634-6057 for more information. Themed “Sowing the Seeds of Hope”, this event invites community members to come together to connect with agencies and individuals providing helpful resources and services.
April 26, Park DuValle and Parkland Bring it Back Meet Up at Ujima Neighborhood Place 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call Brianna Harlan with the Center for Neighborhoods for more information at 724-9486. All residents are invited to this opportunity to meet neighbors and to socialize. The Center for Neighborhoods has a great team of people that bring a diversity of skills and perspectives to the work of neighborhood engagement, education and planning.
It’s become a signature of the Derby Festival and a sign of spring in Louisville – the Festival’s official uniform jacket. In chameleon like form, the design of the jacket has changed through the years after first being introduced in 1973. Festival fans will see the newest rendition this spring, after it was officially unveiled tonight on the runway at the Festival’s annual Spring Fashion show. The jackets still feature the Festival’s Pegasus icon, while the former color scheme of khaki and black has been updated to a fuchsia and Caribbean blue.
“This time we’re returning to a bolder spring color palette and it’s sure to brighten your day,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “It’s definitely one that will stand out, but still remains steeped in tradition.”
The Festival solicited the help of stylist André Wilson of Louisville-based Style Icon to design the new jackets. Meetings with the Festival started last fall, which lead to pencil sketches, choosing the colors and then creating a digital artist rendering. Wilson’s goal was to make it different, but stay within the brand, as well as have a versatile and iconic piece.
“I don’t like fashion that can’t be worn with everything else,” said Wilson. “I wanted to pick a color that would go with different colors and it had to stand out. Bright colors always work at Derby time.”
The jackets were manufactured and tailored in New York and St. Matthews. Derby Festival staff and board members wear jackets of the same style and color; current and past Festival chairs are distinguished by wearing jackets in a different design.
The Derby Festival’s official jackets made their debut in 1973. They were burgundy in color in their first incarnation, with pocket crests attached by military clasps. In 1976, a new jacket was unveiled: it was navy in color with gold Pegasus icons. A dozen years later the color scheme was again changed, this time to a teal color with pink Pegasus icons, and then again in 2006 to khaki and black colors.
Mayor Greg Fischer proclaimed that Friday will be Wear Red Day in Louisville to support the Louisville Cardinals women’s basketball team in the Final Four.
The Mayor is asking citizens across the community to wear Cardinal red on Friday, when the team takes on Mississippi State for a spot in the women’s NCAA Tournament championship game. If UofL wins, the Mayor asks that citizens again wear Cardinal red on Sunday to support the team as they play for the national championship.
“What the Cardinals have achieved this season is absolutely extraordinary — an ACC Championship, No. 1 seed in the Big Dance, a first team All-American in Asia Durr, and now a spot in the Final Four,” Mayor Fischer said. “Let’s show UofL women’s basketball that we stand with them and are ready to cheer like crazy this weekend.”
The Cardinals play Mississippi State at 7 p.m. Friday. The winner faces Notre Dame or Connecticut for the National Championship on Sunday.
The National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament aims to bring 6,600 student archers grades four through twelve to the Kentucky Exposition Center March 30-31. The record breaking registration makes the Kentucky NASP tournament the largest state archery tournament in the country.
NASP promotes archery as part of in-school curriculums, with the goal of improving motivation, attention, behavior, attendance and focus. It originally began as the Kentucky Archery in the Schools Program in 2001, and has grown to include 14,000 schools in five countries. More than a million students will have learned archery by the end of this school year.
The NASP Kentucky State Tournament runs 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. A full schedule can be found online at www.nasptournaments.org.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 13-18). Children 12 and under, registered archers and coaches are free. Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle and $20 per bus.
For more information about NASP and the tournament, visit www.nasptournaments.org.
