LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual parade will return, and applications to participate are now open.
Set for April 28, 2024, at 3 p.m., the Kentucky Derby Festival is seeking participants for the 2024 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade, which will march on Broadway. Those interested can submit to the following categories: equestrians, specialty units, marching bands, inflatables and floats. Hopeful participants can submit their applications on the festival’s website, and the deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2024.
In honor of the Derby’s 150th running, the 2024 parade is themed “Celebrating Derby 150.” Various awards are given to floats for originality, eye appeal, theme representation, attention to detail and enthusiasm. According to the festival, the theme also helps marching bands with their music selection and forms the basis of costume and concept design for other marching units.
“The Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade continues to be a tradition that brings the community together to celebrate during our favorite time of year in Kentucky,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO, in a news release. “The march down Broadway each spring is made special by those who participate, and all the work they put into their units from the costuming and choreography to the music and decorations to bring smiles to all those who are watching.”
Louisville-based Zoeller Pump Company is returning for its fourth year as the parade’s title sponsor.
“Zoeller Pump Company continues to hear from the community about our sponsorship of the Pegasus Parade,” said Dwight Newton, Zoeller Pump Company Chief People Officer, in a news release. “It’s an honor to be part of the Kentucky Derby Festival and 2024 will be even more special as we celebrate our 85th year as a company here in Louisville.”
The Derby Festival’s founding event, 2024 will mark the parade’s 69th year. The first parade took place in 1956 and was produced by a group of volunteers with a $640 budget. Since then, it has evolved into one of the festival’s signature events and generates an estimated economic impact of $22 million, according to the festival.