It's worth mentioning here that, even if you don't have tickets to the Kentucky Derby itself, you can still participate in many of the festivities that happen throughout the lead-up to the big event. The
Kentucky Derby Festival is a multi-week celebration of not just the Derby, but of Kentucky itself. Festival events range from steamboat and hot air balloon races to marathons, concerts, and the acclaimed
Thunder Over Louisville fireworks display, which lights up the skies this Saturday, April 23rd. These spectacular events are an unbelievable way to get into the spirit of Kentucky. After the celebrations, get closer than ever before when you explore and tour Kentucky's storied
horse country.
If you're a food lover, then you'll want to keep a few Kentucky festivals on your mind when planning your vacations and getaways this year. Coming up during the second weekend of May is the
International Bar-B-Q Festival in Owensboro, Kentucky. No where else in Kentucky will you find the aromas of rich, hickory-stoked fires mixed with sizzling chicken and bubbling burgoo. What is
burgoo, you ask? Put simply, it's the Bluegrass State's official dish, and is something between a soup and a stew. You'll have to try it yourself to find out more. If you miss your chance to try burgoo in Owensboro, don't fret. In September, if you plan things right, you may just score two great festivals in one packed weekend. One of these festivals is the great
Anderson county Burgoo Festival, known as the "burgoo capital of the world". It's a distinctive honor, to be sure, and one that you'll want to taste on your own. Also, less than 2 hours away, is the
World Chicken Festival in London, which pays a necessary tribute to the legacy of Kentucky's fried chicken.