The Kentucky Derby Festival is a two week celebration held in Louisville surrounding the Kentucky Derby horse race. It includes over 70 events such as the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show, the Great Balloon Race, and the Pegasus Parade featuring high school bands and large cartoon balloons. Major events also include the Great Steamboat Race down the Ohio River between two historic paddle boats and the Derby Marathon and miniMarathon road races that draw over 12,000 runners through the city. The Kentucky Derby horse race remains the highlight event, a 1.25 mile race that draws around 150,000 visitors annually to Churchill Downs racetrack.

1. Kentucky Derby CelebrationIt started with "two minutes" and became two weeks.

2. Background InformationWhat is Derby Festival?: The Commonwealth's largest single annual event, and one of Louisville's most popular entertainment attractions, the celebration is produced by Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., a private, not-for-profit civic organization.Attendance: an estimated 1.5 millionEvents: 70-plus special eventsFirst Derby: 1875Founded: 1956Budget: $5 million projected (1st budget was $640)

3. Major Derby EventsThunder over LouisvilleGreat Balloon Race FestivalGreat Steamboat Race CoursePegasus ParadeDerby Marathon and miniMarathonThe Derby

4. Thunder over LouisvilleThunder Over Louisville Air ShowThunder Over Louisville Fireworks

5. Great Balloon Race FestivalGreat Balloon GlimmerGreat Balloon Rush Hour RaceGreat Balloon GlowGreat Balloon Race

6. Pegasus ParadeLocal high school and college bandsIndividuals and businesses to create the floats for the paradeGiant inflatable cartoon characters, equestrians, and celebrities.

7. Great Steamboat RaceRace down the Ohio River between the Belle of Belle of Louisvillandthe Belle of Cincinnati14 mile raceStart and finish by the second street bridge.

8. Derby Marathon and miniMarathonMarathon is 26.2 milesminiMarthon is 12 milesMore then 12,000 runnersCourse runs though the city of Louisville.

9. The DerbyThe KY Derby is a 1.25 mile race for three year old thoroughbred horses.Draws an average of 150,000 visitors each year.

10. Interesting Derby factsThe Kentucky Derby earned its nickname "Run for the Roses" because of the blanket of 554 red roses traditionally awarded to the winner after the race.Covering 147 acres, Churchill Downs, where the Derby is ran, is among the most famous sporting venues in the world. It has a seating capacity of over 165,000 people.The fastest Kentucky Derby ever ran was by Secretariat in 1973. The Triple Crown-winning horse ran the 1¼ miles in 1 minute 59 seconds. the first Kentucky Derby was ran in 2 minutes 27 seconds.The Derby was first nationally televised in 1952.