By Jayme Scott
In just a few weeks, Churchill Downs will hold the 148th annual Kentucky Derby, also known as the greatest two minutes in sports. A week before the Kentucky Derby, there are extra festivities to encourage celebrations, which are locally known as pre-Derby traditions.
Starting this Saturday night, Thunder Over Louisville - the annual fireworks show launches Derby season. The Chow Wagon opens April 25 and runs until May 3 at Waterfront Park. The Great Steamboat Race, where the Belle of Louisville races the Belle of Cincinnati and the American Duchess on the Ohio River for 14 miles, takes place April 27.
The Great Balloon Glow is a night full of sparks as the pilots inflate their hot air balloons while they are tied to the ground. It will be held at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront on April 29 from 8 to 9 p.m. The next morning is The Great Balloon Race, and the balloons start the Bowman Field at 7 a.m. and travel a total 26.2 miles.
Churchill Downs will hold opening night to kick off racing during Derby week on April 30 at 5 p.m. Opening night is meant to showcase style and fashion choices for the exciting week to come. Also on April 30 is the Ken-Ducky Derby, which fills the Ohio River with an unlimited number of ducks from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dawn at the Downs is held May 1 and 2 from 6:30 - 8:30 a.m. and fans can watch the horses train for their races during morning workouts.
Also on May 1 is the 67th Pegasus Parade with huge floats competing for awards. It starts at 3 p.m. and moves along Broadway for a total of 17 blocks.
The Great Bed Race takes place May 2 at 6 p.m. in the Kentucky Exposition Center and is an opportunity for Derby fans to build beds on wheels and dress in silly costumes.
Bellarmine alumna Abbie Oetting, a business analyst at Churchill Downs Incorporated, started the Business Leadership Rotation Program in June after graduation. She rotates every six months into a new department, and she has seen a lot that goes on behind the scenes at Churchill Downs.
“Many people aren’t aware that CDI has evolved from one racetrack to a publicly traded company with racetracks, casinos and an online wagering company among its portfolio of business with operations in 11 states,” she said.
Oetting said: “This year, I get to attend opening night at the racetrack, which I am super stoked for, and I will also be working Thurby, Oaks and Derby at the track.” Oetting said this is the first time she will attend some of these unique events since moving to Louisville five years ago.
“I am most excited to dress up in the Derby attire and look forward to making the most exciting two minutes in sports the best experience for our guests,” she said.
“Thurby” lands on May 5 and is a day for the locals to celebrate Kentucky bourbon and music and to prepare for Saturday’s historic race.
The Kentucky Oaks is a race for the 3-year-old fillies (female horses) on May 6. Along with the actual race, there is a “Fillies and Lilies Party” from 7: 30 to 11:30 p.m. that takes place at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Churchill Downs encourages everyone to wear pink for the Kentucky Oaks because it represents the fight against breast and ovarian cancer.
Finally, the 148th annual Kentucky Derby will be held on May 7. The Kentucky Derby post time is at 6:57 p.m.
Junior Sydney Young has lived in Louisville her entire life and said she is very familiar with all the festivities that lead up to the Kentucky Derby. “Derby week has always been something I have looked forward to because for as long as I can remember my family has always had a Derby party and we have lots of family and friends that come to our house for it,” she said.
All tickets for Thurby, Oaks and Derby are all-inclusive, which was first implemented last year. Guests can enjoy not having to pay for food or drinks throughout the day, although even if the ticket is a little pricier, with tickets starting at $177 which is available on the Kentucky Derby website.
Freshman Hallie Westmeyer is from Troy, Ohio, has heard of Derby from family members who used to live here and from her parents. She said she has never heard of any of the events that happen prior to the Kentucky Derby.
“I would be interested to know more about the events leading up to it because it sounds like fun things that I could attend with my friends and family,” she said.
Westmeyer said she will not be attending the Derby, but her parents and friends are going, and she said she is excited to hear from them what it is like.
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