LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thurby just got a bit more fun. Churchill Downs announced it plans to celebrate “the spirit of the Bluegrass State” this year.
Churchill Downs is bringing the Frazier Museum’s “Cool Kentucky” exhibition to Thurby, May 1. The exhibit will show off all things Kentucky—from its musical roots and bourbon legacy to area icons and trailblazers. Churchill said Thurby will have something for everyone.
The track will be giving away 250 screen print posters and 3,000 “Thurby x Frazier History Museum: Cool Kentucky” prints created by local artists. The giveaway takes place at the Woodford Reserve Paddock Plaza and it’s first=come, first-serve.
There will be live music throughout the day featuring artists represented in the Frazier’s “120: Cool KY Counties” exhibit. Performers include the yodeling cowgirl, Phoebe White from Laurel County and Venezuelan-American pop artist Asly Toro from Jefferson County. Visitors to the premium dining rooms at the track will enjoy Native American flute music from Fred Nez of Mercer County.
Churchill Downs and the Frazier are bringing several immersive experiences to Thurby icluding the “ear X-tacy” Legacy activation, Mirror Ball activation and tributes to locals Tori Murden McClure and John Timmons. There will be a Model T photo opportunity and several roaming costumed characters representing Kentucky icons such as Colonel Sanders and Loretta Lynn. There will also be a “Style Under the Spires Fashion” contest. Guests are encouraged to wear Derby fashion inspired by decades gone by.
Gates open at 10:30 a.m. on Thurby and the first race is at 12:45 p.m. Race fans will be t reated to several stakes races including the Opening Verse, Kentucky Juvenile and St. Matthews Overnight Stakes.
