Kentucky Derby Festival

Schedule:

11:00 AM – 11:00 PM: Kroger's Fest-a-Ville

(Food, drink and pets are NOT permitted)

The ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with local, regional and national acts, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more.

Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront will return for its 18th year in 2024. Sponsored by Kroger, the party starts on the Great Lawn and runs through Derby Eve. It promises to have something for everyone – and admission is free with a 2024 Pegasus Pin.

The 900,000-square-foot venue will host several Festival events, including the L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Glow, Chow Wagon, Ohio Valley Wrestling Run for the Ropes, HappyTail Hour, Ken-Ducky Derby, Neigh-Maste on the Waterfront and more.

Fest-a-Ville also offers a wide variety of activities for children, featuring midway-area and attractions at Pegasus Play-Ville Presented by Norton Children’s, including merry-go-round, ships ahoy, a giant slide and much more.

From the opening day ribbon-cutting to Derby Eve, Fest-a-Ville will be the downtown destination at Kentucky Derby Festival time.

Location: Waterfront Park

11:00 AM – 11:00 PM: Chow Wagon

The Chow Wagon returns to Waterfront Park on the Ohio River. The Music Stage will feature live concerts with local and regional entertainment and a wide variety of musical genres including jazz, R&B, country, rock and blues.

The Chow Wagon is food and fun! You can feast on everything from cookie dough to turkey legs and elephant ears. There’s something for everyone!

Where else can you find great food and live musical entertainment in a riverside setting for a 2024 Pegasus Pin admission? Meet your coworkers for lunch or come down for an evening concert. There’s no way to go wrong by making a visit to this great outdoor party.

Location: Waterfront Park

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Dick’s Sporting Goods Race Expo and Packet Pick-up

GE Appliances Derby Festival mini, Marathon & Relay packets can be picked up at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Race Expo And Packet Pick-Up. Runner packets include race bib, timing chip, and important runner instructions.

THERE WILL BE NO PACKET PICKUP ON RACE DAY.

Come for the packet pick-up, stay for activities like:

Picking up Race Day Gear from Swag’s Sport Shoes and other vendors
Chat with the Norton Sports Health Team about the Training Program and pick up your 2024 Race Magnet
Meet your Pace Team
Assisted stretch & pre-race body work with KORT Physical Therapy’s Rehab Team
Visiting the Official Derby Festival Race Day Merchandise shop
Other sampling and tasting opportunities

Location: The Kentucky Exposition Center, Freedom Hall

9:00 PM: L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest: Great Balloon Glow

One of the most anticipated events of balloon race weekend is the Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow. This year, there will be TWO opportunities to see the Balloon Glow, as it returns to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront on Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26.

The Great Balloon Glow is a companion event to the race, the balloons on the field, but do not ascend. As the pilots fire their burners, watch as the balloons glow against the blackness of the night sky, synchronized to a special musical score.

You are invited to walk around the field and talk to the pilots as they have more time to show off their balloons than on race morning.

Even if you plan on coming to the race, you don’t want to miss the unique beauty of the glow. It’s a one-of-a kind experience!

Admission will be free with your 2024 Pegasus Pin

Location: Waterfront Park