Kentucky Derby Festival Alters 2021 Events
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Photo: Coady Photography
The Kentucky Derby Festival takes place over two weeks preceding the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
The Kentucky Derby Festival announced Jan. 26 that the 2021 festival will continue amid COVID-19, but under a different format emphasizing virtual and social-distanced events.
The festival's fireworks show, Thunder Over Louisville, which in years past would lure sizable crowds, will not take place as usual on the Louisville waterfront and will instead be a tribute on April 17, the organization said.
"While we can't gather at the waterfront, we're still planning to have elements of the air show and fireworks," said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival president and CEO. "We're working with our sponsors, partners, and local media outlets to help share this unique Thunder tribute with the community."
The annual Pegasus Parade, held during Derby week, will also be different, as it will not include the traditional downtown march. Events that the Kentucky Derby Festival has typically held indoors will not take place in 2021.
2021 marks the 66th year for the Kentucky Derby Festival, which was not held last year during the pandemic and with the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) postponed until September. The festival customarily entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two- week period and has a local economic impact of more than $127 million, according to festival officials.
Churchill Downs intends to run the May 1 Kentucky Derby in front of fans but with reduced attendance.