Spring is a time when flowers finally begin to bloom again, long pants are traded in for shorts, and the world is a much happier place. For us Louisvillians, spring means much more than just being able to lay out by the pool and get some sun. People that aren't from Louisville will never understand the hype that comes with the Kentucky Derby, the fastest two minutes in sports. With Derby comes hundreds of different events starting weeks, even months before the actual race. The festivities that lead up to the Derby are what make springtime in Louisville better than anywhere else.
1. Thunder Over Louisville:
Grab your blanket and get ready for one of the biggest firework shows in North America. Normally hosting at least half a million people, Thunder Over Louisville has become a can't-miss event.
2. The Balloon Race:
Wherever you are the morning of the beloved balloon race, you'll be able to look up in the sky and see hundreds of colorful balloons of different shapes and sizes. It begins at 7:00 a.m., so make sure you're up early enough to enjoy the beautiful view!
3. The Pegasus Parade:
The Pegasus Parade, led by "Peggy Bank," the famous inflatable Pegasus balloon, is a family-friendly event that consists of nearly 20 floats and inflatables. Because this is the oldest event of the Kentucky Derby Festival, there is no reason that you should not be attending.
4. The Great Steamboat Race:
The Steamboat Race, a race between the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati, is something that you have to experience at least once in your lifetime. Find a spot on a dock and watch the boats sail across the Ohio River. You can even pay to experience the race first-hand and enjoy dinner on the Belle of Louisville!
5. Pegasus Pins:
Not only are Pegasus Pins a great way to show off your Derby spirit, they could also win you weekly grand prizes if you find a gold one! They're inexpensive, colorful, and can be found basically anywhere in Louisville. Time to go start your collection!
6. The Chow Wagon:
All you need is a Pegasus Pin to enjoy live music and delicious food. Located on Waterfront Park, the Chow Wagon is a perfect excuse to grab your friends and have a great time.
7. Oaks:
Oaks is essentially just a small preview of what Derby is going to look like. This race, which consists of only three-year old fillies, is held the day before Derby and people are encouraged to wear pink to support breast and ovarian cancer. Enjoy an Oaks Lily (the official drink of the Kentucky Oaks), throw on some pink, and sit back and relax as you watch the fourth largest horse race in the United States.
8. Derby:
All of these fun, exciting festivities all lead up to one thing: The Kentucky Derby. This is the day that everyone in Louisville patiently waits for all year long. The Derby, also called "The Run for the Roses", is always held on the first Saturday in May and has the most attendance out of all the other horse races in North America. No wonder it's called the most exciting two minutes in sports.
Sure, there are other fun places to be during springtime, but there is no arguing that Louisville does it best. Because of the Kentucky Derby and the events leading up to it, there is no other place that I would rather be during the spring than my old Kentucky home.
