2. Background Information What is Derby Festival?: The Commonwealth's largest single annual event, and one of Louisville's most popular entertainment attractions, the celebration is produced by Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., a private, not-for-profit civic organization. Attendance: an estimated 1.5 million Events: 70-plus special events First Derby: 1875 Founded: 1956 Budget: $5 million projected (1st budget was $640)
3. Major Derby Events Thunder over Louisville Great Balloon Race Festival Great Steamboat Race Course Pegasus Parade Derby Marathon and miniMarathon The Derby
5. Great Balloon Race Festival Great Balloon Glimmer Great Balloon Rush Hour Race Great Balloon Glow Great Balloon Race
6. Pegasus Parade Local high school and college bands Individuals and businesses to create the floats for the parade Giant inflatable cartoon characters, equestrians, and celebrities.
7. Great Steamboat Race Race down the Ohio River between the Belle of Belle of Louisvillandthe Belle of Cincinnati 14 mile race Start and finish by the second street bridge.
8. Derby Marathon and miniMarathon Marathon is 26.2 miles miniMarthon is 12 miles More then 12,000 runners Course runs though the city of Louisville.
9. The Derby The KY Derby is a 1.25 mile race for three year old thoroughbred horses. Draws an average of 150,000 visitors each year.
10. Interesting Derby facts The Kentucky Derby earned its nickname "Run for the Roses" because of the blanket of 554 red roses traditionally awarded to the winner after the race. Covering 147 acres, Churchill Downs, where the Derby is ran, is among the most famous sporting venues in the world. It has a seating capacity of over 165,000 people. The fastest Kentucky Derby ever ran was by Secretariat in 1973. The Triple Crown-winning horse ran the 1¼ miles in 1 minute 59 seconds. the first Kentucky Derby was ran in 2 minutes 27 seconds. The Derby was first nationally televised in 1952.
