by Karel Kinnett

Created on: April 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

When you hear the words "Kentucky Derby", you probably think of that two minute long horse race that occurs the first weekend of May every year. Did you know that it is actually a two week long festival comprised of more than 70 events?

One of the most well-known Derby Festival Events is Thunder Over Louisville, the largest fireworks display in the world. Thunder draws more than 600,000 people from around the world. From the banks of the Ohio River in Louisville and Southern Indiana, viewers are treated to a military aircraft show, with more than 100 planes, followed by a 28 minute long fireworks show presented by Zambelli Internationale.

Another popular attraction is the Chow Wagon, featuring carnival food and more than 20 live concerts. In late April, Kentucky runners take part in the Marathon/Mini Marathon, a 36 year tradition of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The Great Balloon Race, Great Steamboat Race and Pegasus Parade are other major events of the festival.

There are also plenty of lesser known attractions that are part of the Derby Festival. The Fillies Derby Ball is one of the oldest events, where the Derby Festival Queen is crowned. If you like golf, you can enter the Derby Festival $1 Million Hole-in-One Contest or try your hand at the Derby Festival Golf Tournament. There are also several unofficial parties, held by some of Kentucky's most well known families, with the hottest celebrities in attendance and paparazzi lining the driveways.

For families with children, there are several fun events during the Derby Festival. The Louisville Science Center Thunderblast is an all-day event that takes place during Thunder Over Louisville. Besides watching the fireworks, there are children's activities, an obstacle course, IMAX films and a catered meal.

There is a new event for the little princesses in the family, the Children's Tea with the Derby Festival Princesses. Children may dress like little princes or princesses and have tea with the Derby Festival Royal Court. The Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer takes place the weekend of the Great Balloon Race on the Great Lawn of Waterfront Park and is fun for the whole family. Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront is a week long event with concerts, food and an inflatable playground.

Junior car and racing aficionados will enjoy the Kentucky Soapbox Derby Rally, a 2-point rally with double and single elimination races, open to kids age 8 through 17. Every participant receives a t-shirt and trophies are given to the winning entrants.

Those with a competitive spirit can enter the Stockyards Bank Great Bed Races and the Battle of the Bounce. The Great Bed Races are a favorite tradition of the Derby Festival. Teams of five push decorated beds around the track at Broadbent Arena, a 600-yard course, competing for titles like "Best Decorated Bed", "Most Entertaining" and "People's Choice". The Battle of the Bounce is in it's fifth year. Four member teams from area businesses compete to finish an obstacle course, including a human hamster ball race, an inflatable obstacle course, a rock climbing wall and riding an inflatable pony across the finish line. The winning team will participate in the Pegasus Parade.

The culmination of the Derby Festival Events is the Kentucky Derby race. Thousands of people pack the infields and stands in anticipation of seeing their favorite horse win the Run for the Roses, the most exciting two minute race in history. Whatever the outcome, the Kentucky Derby Festival is an event to remember.

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