The Bluegrass is horse country, and the Kentucky Derby is easily our state’s most famous event. But you don’t need a ticket to Churchill Downs in order to join the festivities — and you don’t even need to travel to Louisville, either! Each year, the streets of Frankfort come alive during the Downtown Derby Celebration, a day of fun and festivities in honor of the Kentucky Derby. Make your way to Kentucky’s glorious state capitol on May 7, 2022, to celebrate the most iconic event in the Bluegrass State!
You know it’s spring in Kentucky when you start seeing Derby event invitations.
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And the festivities happen all over the Bluegrass – not just Louisville!
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Every May, folks come to historic Frankfort for the annual Downtown Derby Celebration. This year’s event happens May 7, and you won’t want to miss it!
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The event happens all over downtown Frankfort, and even on the lawn of the grand Old Capitol Building. (Watch out, though – some ghosts might join the Derby Day fun!)
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This festival is just as big as the main event, attracting local celebrities and even the Kentucky Governor himself.
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You really never know who might show up at the Frankfort festivities…
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Highlights include live music, the YMCA’s Kids Derby Dash, the Pedal for the Posies, and activities for the whole family. During the afternoon, festival goers can enjoy more live music, derby specials, and even a live broadcast of the big race.
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The DIY Derby hat station is always a hit with kids. Because what’s more fun than a fabulous fascinator hat on a tiny person?
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As with any great festival, the food is stellar. Come and sample Kentucky’s finest fare at the Downtown Derby Celebration, which has everything from food trucks and kettle corn to Bluegrass delicacies like bourbon balls.
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This spring event is perfect for the whole family, and a really fun way to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. This is a beloved, only-in-Kentucky tradition we must pass on to the Bluegrass State’s next generation, after all.
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Have you attended this spring festival in years past? It really is the can’t-miss spring festival in Kentucky! Peruse the event website to plan your day at the Downtown Derby Celebration.
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Address: Frankfort, KY 40601, USA
