Although the Kentucky Derby thoroughbred race attracts fans from around the globe, so does Louisville's Derby Festival, which precedes the two-minute race with two weeks of unique, fun, exciting events and is considered one of the foremost of its kind in the world.
The festival begins on April 14 and ends when the winning Derby horse is draped with a garland of 400 red roses on May 7.
While the race draws 155,000 ticketed fans, the festival is attended by 1.5 million, thousands from other states and countries.
The festival features one of the nation's largest fireworks extravaganzas, nonstop concerts showcasing stars of every musical genre, marathons, several sports competitions, hot-air balloon events, live-bed racing and the Great Steamboat Race that pits historic paddle-wheelers on the mighty Ohio River.
What's a party without food? Festival attendees can buy everything from soup to nuts and corndogs at the Chow Wagon, ethnic foods at Kroger's Fest-a-Ville, and then visit a local wine-tasting at WineFest.
Best of all? Two-thirds of the festival's 70 events are free, making them family friendly. And this year, they will flock to the festival's oldest founding event, the Pegasus Parade, on Thursday, May 5. Jordan Smith, newest winner of The Voice and a Kentucky native who skyrocketed to fame, will serve as Grand Marshal.
The parade's theme, Fun for the Arts, serves as design inspiration for the floats and musical selections of the marching bands. And brings an estimated impact of $22 million to the local economy.