Kentucky Derby Festival - Best Two Weeks of Fun!
Sure, the Kentucky Derby is known as the most exciting two minutes in sports but Derby in Louisville is so much more than horse racing. For two weeks leading up to the “Run for the Roses”--the first leg in thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown--Louisville becomes all about the Kentucky Derby Festival. Beginning with the world’s largest fireworks extravaganza on April 18, right up to the finish line on May 2, the festival (www.kdf.org) includes stars, fashion, food and loads of fun.
If you can’t make it to Churchill Downs (the second oldest race track in the nation) on the first Saturday in May you may want to host your own Derby party. Get some tips on how to make your party a winner at www.kentuckyderbyparty.com
See Kentucky’s “Unbridled Spring”
Spring in Kentucky means an explosion of color across the commonwealth’s scenic landscape. While the upper half of the north/south corridors through the state--I-75 and I-65--are still enveloped in winter, Kentucky’s spring is budding everywhere. Beginning in March and heading into May as the weather warms, each area of Kentucky offers up abundant flora.
To experience Kentucky’s “Unbridled Spring,” log on to www.Kentuckytourism.com/spring to see what’s blooming and where you can see it from mid-April to the end of May. Stroll, hike or drive our many scenic byways, trails and paths to soak up the wonders of the season.
Horse Capital of the World
Many such descriptions are exaggerations but in this case it’s true—Lexington, Kentucky is the Horse Capital of the World--with a gorgeous race track (featured in the movie Seabiscuit), a 1,200-acre park dedicated to the horse and spectacular horse farms aplenty.
“They’re off!” at Keeneland Race Course (http://www.keeneland.com) with live racing from April 3 through 24 (post time at 1:05, Wednesday through Sunday; closed Easter Sunday). Keeneland provides memorable experiences for so much more than the sport of kings, with a kid friendly atmosphere that starts when the course wakes up with “Breakfast with the Works,” at the track kitchen, and morning workouts. Open year-round, spring at the track is a spectacular event for horse aficionados and general spectators alike.
The world's only park dedicated to man's relationship with the horse, the Kentucky Horse Park (http://www.kyhorsepark.com) just north of Lexington, welcomes more than a million guests each year. This is the place to get close to horses and visitors are inspired by daily events and attractions that exhibit the beauty, history and importance of these majestic animals. So impressive, the park will host the largest equine sporting event ever held in the U.S. -- the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 (http://www.alltechfeigames.com). The games include eight championship events which are being held outside of Europe for the first time ever.
Man o’ War was the most famous Throughbred who ever lived. He lost only one race, ironically to a horse named Upset which he beat in 6 other races. Man o’War is memoralized at the Kentucky Horse Park. Read More at http://www.kyhorsepark.com/kids/sub.php?pageid=103§ionid=1
A Different Kind of “Horse Power”
Check out what kind of horse power is built into a brand new Corvette at the Nation’s only Corvette Factory, Assembly Plant and Museum. While you are there, be sure to sample the food and soak in some fun at the new Corvette Café diner.