Derby Celebration

Horses

Thoroughbred Disturbingthepeace, now a resident of Old Friends, will be at the Derby Celebration and while he is retired, there will be pony rides for the kids.

Children's Activities

There will be a great number of activities for kids including stick horse races, the Derby Dash road race, Kentucky Derby hat-making, and much more.

Kentucky Wildlife

The folks from the Salato Wildlife Education Center will be on hand with a variety of animals indigenous to the Commonwealth.

History Comes Alive

Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln, as well as the Southern Belles, will be in Downtown Frankfort to share what life was like in the 19th century.

Arts and Crafts

The Governor’s Derby Celebration will play host to several Kentucky Crafted artists and craftspeople. Make sure to visit them while you’re downtown.

Derby Related Links

Kentucky Derby 139
Kentucky Derby Festival
Kentucky Derby Museum
16th Annual Celebration of Hope

 

Calling All Kids

This year's Derby Celebration will once again include several races for children age 2-12 in four different age groups. Click here to register for the YMCA's Derby Dash.


DERBY TIME IN KENTUCKY is truly one of the most exciting, colorful, and special times of the year.

Since 1936, there have been gatherings, both large and small, in the Capital City to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. This year, we are honored to be hosting our sixth Derby Celebration on Saturday, May 4, again in historic downtown Frankfort.

This year’s celebration will showcase the beautiful downtown of our Capital City with new and traditional festivities for which the Governor’s Derby Celebration is known. The 2013 Derby Celebration will offer plenty of color, excitement, entertainment, children’s activities, and food to suit all tastes. Your children will love racing in the YMCA Derby Dash on Broadway, and the stick horse races on the Old State Capitol lawn. Several downtown restaurants will be open and offering special Derby morning fare.

A free concert featuring bands from across the Commonwealth will headline the entertainment on the Jim Beam Brands Stage directly in front of the Old State Capitol beginning at 10:00 a.m. Derby morning. And the crowd-pleasing tradition of having Kentucky craftsmen exhibiting and selling their work at the event will continue this year. The Capital City Museum, located on Ann Street, will host a special guest – a retired thoroughbred racehorse, Disturbingthepeace, from Old Friends horse retirement farm in Georgetown.

This is the 77th anniversary of the Governor’s Derby Celebration, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever! We hope you and your family will make plans to attend this exciting event on the morning of the first Saturday in May in beautiful downtown Frankfort. Bring your family and invite your friends. This event is open to everyone!

Sincerely,

Steve and Jane

2013 Derby Celebration Poster

2012 Governor's Derby Celebration Poster Click here for information on the 2013 Derby Celebration poster or buy it online today.

 

Downloads

Governor's Derby Celebration invitation postcard