LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thunder Over Louisville, the miniMarathon, and the Pegasus Parade are all canceled for 2020. The Kentucky Derby Festival announced it will not produce the traditional events this year because of the coronavirus. 

What You Need To Know


  • Thunder Over Louisville and other Derby Festival events canceled

  • Coronavirus pandemic is to blame

  • First time in 65-year-history Festival events won't take place

  • 2020 Pegasus Pins will be good next year

Originally postponed until August and September, KDF says the events could not be produced this year.

“As an organization that always puts public health and safety first, we know it would not be responsible for the Kentucky Derby Festival to put on events that attract crowds with not just hundreds, but hundreds of thousands of people,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “This has been a difficult and emotional decision for our staff and board, but we believe it is the best one based on these unprecedented circumstances.”

KDF is made up of more than 70 events and more than half of the Festival's operating budget is made up of money from corporate sponsorship. Money from ticket sales, Pegasus Pin sales, concessions, and event registration fees make up the rest. The pandemic has made funding events an issue.

“We are so grateful for the continued support of our many sponsors, partners, and our fans during this uncertain time,” said Gibson. “The Kentucky Derby Festival’s mission has always been to bring the community together in celebration. We hope to still find ways we can do that even if we’re apart.”

KDF says it will continue to look at other options including small-scale events, virtual events, and Festival-themed promotions. Plans are being submitted for smaller events like Tour de Lou and the BalloonFest. Virtual options are already in place for the miniMarathon, Marathon, and the Tour de Lou cycling event. KDF hopes to release more details about other ways to celebrate Derby Festival in the next few weeks. 

If you registered for a Festival event or bought tickets to one, KDF will be contacting you. If you already bought your 2020 Pegasus Pins, hold on to them, KDF will honor them next year during the 2021 Kentucky Derby Festival. 

“We look forward to the time when it’s safe for everyone to come together to celebrate our favorite Kentuckiana traditions,” said 2020 KDF Chair, Judy Hess. “Though we may be centered around the first weekend of May, we know the spirit of the Derby Festival is strong year-round in our community. We’re going to get through this together.

Kentucky Derby Festival


This is the 65th year for the Kentucky Derby Festival and this is the first time that the Festival and all of its events haven't happened in the spring.