Described as the most exciting 2 minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby is one of the oldest thoroughbred horse races in the United States of America. Kentucky is renowned for the gently rolling hills in the Bluegrass Region and exceptional thoroughbred horses.
The Kentucky Derby was founded in 1875 by Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark, the grandson of William Clark, of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition that explored the untamed lands between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean. Colonel Clark traveled to Europe and after visiting the Epsom Derby in England, he returned to Louisville, Kentucky where he organized the Louisville Jockey Club. The Club raised the money to build the world famous Churchill Downs race track in Louisville.
The race is also known as the Run for the Roses because of the huge cape made of red roses that is draped over the winning horse. The Kentucky Derby is run every year on the first Saturday in May.
The Derby is attended by Hollywood celebrities, United States Presidents, Kings and Queens. It isn’t just a day for the rich and famous though. Millions of people enjoy the opening ceremony of the Kentucky Derby Festival with Thunder Over Louisville.
More than 70 events are planned during the two weeks before the Run for the Roses. The festival begins with a stunning all day air show that includes 100 planes, aerobatics flying teams, diving teams and air stunts. The finest military planes in the United States Air Force are frequently showcased during the air show. Thunder Over Louisville ends an exciting day of food, fun and flying with the largest fireworks show in North America created by the world famous pyrotechnics experts at Zambelli Internationale. People from all over the United States and the world line the banks of the Ohio River to witness the magnificent fireworks show.
The Galt House, a stunning 4 Star Hotel located in downtown Louisville on the banks of the Ohio River, offers packages for Thunder Over Louisville and The Kentucky Derby. The Galt House offers old Southern charm with all the modern amenities. Packages for the next year go on sale almost immediately after the Derby, so call early to reserve your room.
The hotel is within walking distance of the Kentucky Center for the Arts, a renowned center for Broadway productions and orchestra concerts. The Actors Theatre is nearby on Main Street, and showcases brilliant local actors, singers and dancers. The Louisville Science Center and the Louisville Slugger baseball bat museum and factory are a few blocks away from the Galt House right on Main Street. During the Kentucky Derby Festival the Ohio River is lined with vendors and musicians. Find dining and Southern hospitality await you in Louisville, Kentucky. There is plenty to see and do before race day.
Derby tickets cost as little as $65 per person for General Admission to the Infield. If you want to rub elbows with the rich and famous, then the Turf Club is the place to be! The Turf Club is located in the glass enclosed upper deck of Churchill Downs, described as “On the Glass.” Turf Club admission includes free food and drinks all day and costs around $4500 per person.
Admission to Thunder Over Louisville is free and open to the public, but some businesses on the River do offer viewing packages for individuals and families. The beautiful Belle of Louisville Steamboat and the Star of Louisville are available for Ohio River tours and Thunder viewing. Contact the Kentucky Derby Festival to reserve your seats.