Celebrate the Kentucky Derby at the Kentucky Exposition Center
As Kentucky Derby season approaches the homestretch, the Kentucky Exposition Center plays host to four Kentucky Derby Festival crowd favorites as well as parking for both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby Festival Pasta Party, Race Expo and Packet Pick-Up: Thursday, April 27- Friday, April 28
Thursday Race Expo, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday, Race Expo, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday Pasta Party, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Prepare for the Kentucky Derby Festival MiniMarathon and Marathon with the Packet Pick-Up, Race Expo and Pasta Party. Get everything you need from fuel to running supplies at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The Race Expo is free and the Pasta Party is $20 per person.
U.S. Bank Great Balloon Glow: Friday, April 28
6 p.m. Gates open
9 p.m. Glow begins
Spectators watch as pilots fill hot-air balloons that glow against the evening sky, set to a special musical score. Visitors are invited to meet the pilots and ask questions. The balloons are parked in Lots C and D. Admission is free with a 2017 Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin.
Thorntons Great Bed Races: Monday, May 1
4 p.m. Official tailgate party
6 p.m. Parade of the beds
7 p.m. Races begin
Crowds cheer as teams dressed in costumes push decorated beds in a 600-yard dash to the finish line. Awards are presented for fastest course times, best decorated, most entertaining and more. The races take place in Broadbent Arena. Admission is free with a 2017 Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin.
Republic Bank Pegasus Parade Preview Party: Tuesday, May 2
5–9 p.m. Open to the public
Visitors get a sneak peek at inflatables and floats, complete with dancing costumed characters. Children can also get an autograph or photo of the Derby Festival Queen and Royal Court. The preview party is held in South Wing C. Admission is free with a 2017 Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin.
Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Parking: Friday, May 5 – Saturday, May 6
7:30 a.m. Pick-ups and drop-offs begin and continue until 8:30 p.m.
Make Oaks and Derby Day parking easier, with hassle-free parking and round-trip shuttles from the Kentucky Exposition Center. Located approximately two miles from Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Exposition Center is conveniently accessible from both I-264 and I-65. Shuttles are $15 per person, round-trip.
For more information about the Kentucky Derby Festival, visit www.kdf.org and Kentucky Derby shuttles, visit www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/parking-and-shuttles.
Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle and $20 per bus.