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| Kentucky Derby Festival | |
|---|---|
 Thunder Over Louisville | |
| Genre | Horse racing |
| Dates | The two weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby |
| Location(s) | Louisville, Kentucky, US |
| Years active | 1935–1937, 1956–2019, 2021–present |
| Website | kdf |
The Kentucky Derby Festival is an annual festival held in Louisville, Kentucky, during the two weeks preceding the first Saturday in May, the day of the Kentucky Derby.[1] The festival, Kentucky's largest single annual event, first ran from 1935 to 1937, and restarted in 1956.
The festival's main components are: Thunder Over Louisville, the largest annual fireworks display in North America; the Great BalloonFest, featuring the Great Balloon Race; the Great Steamboat Race, featuring the Belle of Louisville; the Pegasus Parade, one of the largest parades in the United States; and the Derby Festival miniMarathon & Marathon.
- ^ "What is the Derby Festival®? – Our Story". Kentucky Derby Festival. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
The Festival blasts off each year with the Opening Ceremonies – Thunder Over Louisville, one of the nation's largest annual fireworks extravaganzas! The ensuing two weeks of excitement and entertainment promise something for everyone.