The Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade Information

Here is what was announced by the KY Derby Festival concerning the parade and specialty units at our meeting this evening (April 10, 2024):

1. Parade starts at 3PM

2. Children under 8 years old are not allowed to march. If your child is only a couple of months from turning 8 and looks/behaves/acts like an 8-year-old, I personally don't see an issue. Use your best judgement because so many of our baton twirlers are more mature than the typical child. 

3. Children between the ages of 8 - 13 must be accompanied by an adult. We have plenty of adults walking along with the twirlers so this shouldn't be an issue. If you want to walk with your child/group/team that is fine with us; you just have to fill out a release form. 

4. Our line up position is at the corner of Lexington Road and Barret Avenue in Louisville, KY. 

5. Our call time (line up time) is TBA however I would say it will be somewhere around 1PM.

6. The parade route is 2 miles, straight down Broadway which will be closed to traffic starting at 12:30PM. This also includes the area between Shelby St. and Baxter Ave. which is new this year. In past years, we were able to drop twirlers/participants right on the corner of our line up position, this year we will not. 

7. I will be posting more details concerning drop off and pick up within the next few days. Though the parade committee has its rules, and we must obey them, we, the Kentucky Twirling Consortium, feels it is important to have our own plan as well. We not only want to put on an AWESOME show, but we also want it to go as smoothly and safely as possible. Planning and communication is the key to success.

8. Below is a parking pass for you to print and use the day of the parade. I do not know if you will still have to pay for parking or not, though the wording does lead one to believe that it is free parking. I would have cash and/or debit card ready just in case.

9. Bring along your patience! Especially, for after the parade as there will be multiple traffic detours and hundreds of people trying to leave downtown at the same time. 

10. Below is a copy of the 2024 Production Unit Operations Manual. It is LONG and FILLED with information that doesn't necessarily pertain to our unit. However, it has maps of the areas and expectations that will be helpful the day of the parade. There is also information concerning a shuttle service for drop off. They do not provide after parade shuttling. I have not used this service so I cannot comment on how proficient it is. 

11. The parade is televised and streamed online.

12. We will have a short novice/beginner routine posted within the next couple of days for the twirlers to learn and perform throughout the parade. If you are an intermediate or advance twirler or part of a college squad, you are asked to show-case your talent (including multiple batons if you choose) throughout the parade route and especially at the Grandstand. Intermediate and advance twirlers still need to learn the shorter novice/beginner routine so that the younger less experienced twirlers have leaders to follow. As of right now, we will be linked with one of the local radio stations which will provide the music for us.... YEAH!!! for us!!! no worrying about musical PA systems or what type of music is allowed, etc. etc. This is such a blessing!!! and as twirlers we can adapt and perform to almost any musical arrangement.