Kentucky Derby Festival

Schedule:

Kentucky Derby Festival Volleyball Classic

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Grass Division at Seneca Park
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Sand Division at Baxter Jacks

2024 marks the 35th Annual Derby Festival Volleyball Classic. It’s one of the largest and oldest outdoor volleyball tournaments in the country featuring sand and grass volleyball for all levels of play including Coed, Men’s, Women’s – Doubles, Triples, Quads, and Sixes.

The Volleyball Classic is a tradition that has been passed along to many generations of volleyball players. It’s a great way for volleyball players of all ages and skill levels to participate in an official Derby Festival Event.

Spectators are welcome to attend and watch some exceptional volleyball!

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

11:00 AM – 1:30 PM: Mayor's Derby Brunch on the River

Come out and enjoy a festive brunch featuring a traditional Kentucky breakfast, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides and tours of the Farnsley-Moremen property!

Tickets are $120 for individuals or $900 for a table of 8.

Location: Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing

3:00 PM: Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade

The 2024 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade returns to Broadway in Downtown Louisville on Sunday, April 28. This family-friendly annual event showcases some of the nation’s finest marching bands and equestrian units, along with inflatable characters and colorful floats.

The 2024 theme is “Celebrating Derby 150” in honor of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.

The parade marches west on Broadway for 17 blocks and lasts approximately two hours.

Originating in 1956 on a budget of only $640, the Pegasus Parade is the Kentucky Derby Festival’s oldest event. Today, the Pegasus Parade is one of the largest in the country, contributing an estimated impact of more than $22 million to the local economy.

Purchase Tickets

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: GospelFest Presented by Passport Health Plan by Molina Healthcare and Republic Bank

Great Stage at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront

Packed with powerful performances, join us for an evening of soulful, joyous music at GospelFest, and see some of the best Gospel choirs in the region!

Admission is free with a 2024 Pegasus Pin

Location: Kroger's Fest-a-Ville