The Kentucky Derby Festival: "So Much to Celebrate!"

It's more than two minutes. What the Run for the Roses is to horse racing, Louisville's Derby Festival is to community celebrations. The Festival is one of the premiere events of its kind in the world. It brings fun, excitement, international recognition and a spirit that is unmatched anywhere.

The 2003 Festival blasts off on April 12th with the Opening Ceremonies - Thunder Over Louisville, now the nation's largest annual fireworks extravaganza! The ensuing two weeks of excitement and entertainment promises something for everyone.

What is Derby Festival?: The Commonwealth's largest single annual event, and one of Louisville's most popular entertainment attractions, the celebration is produced by Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., a private, not-for-profit civic organization.

The Festival is not affiliated directly with Churchill Downs or the Kentucky Derby. It is a separate organization. The Festival celebrates the horse race, but more importantly the unique spirit of the community at "Derby" time. The Derby Festival has become a rite of spring.

Attendance: an estimated 1.5 million (13% - 200,000 from outside Jefferson County) (This technically makes KDF the largest annual convention by attendance as the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau currently cites the National Street Rod Assoc. as the largest, based on 30,000 in attendance.)

Events: 70-plus special events comprise the Festival schedule (some are produced by outside organizations requesting to be included on the schedule)

Board: 75-member volunteer Board of Directors (comprised of key business leaders and civic volunteers)

Staff: 21 full-time paid professionals

Volunteers: 4000 needed to produce the two-week Festival (If these were paid employees, KDF would be the 6th largest employer in the state.)

Founded: 1956 (1st event - Pegasus Parade) 2003 will mark the 48th Festival.

Budget: 5.6 million projected for 2003 (1st budget was $640)

Economic Impact: $93.6 million on area economy estimated in 2001 (This means for roughly every $1 spent by KDF to produce events, $17 are generated in the local economy.) (The impact of Churchill Downs, hotels & restaurant sales are not considered in this conservative estimate.)

Charitable Impact: $300,000 annually - events on the Festival schedule help raise money for organizations such as the Crusade for Children, Kosair Charities, Multiple Sclerosis Society, etc.