DERBY BURGER COMPETITION RETURNS

The Derby Burger ® is back. After a hiatus, the Kentucky Derby Festival and Kentucky Beef Council and Dan-O’s Seasoning put out the call to Kentuckians to see who had the best burger for 2023.

Hundreds of applications were submitted and, in March, were narrowed down to four finalists, who then moved on to a cookoff to determine the tastiest burger. All burgers were required to contain 100 percent beef and Dan-O’s seasoning and were judged on flavor, creativity, appearance and ease of preparation.

The winner had not yet been selected at press time. But head to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville at Waterfront Park beginning April 27, where the 2023 recipe will be showcased.

And visit Louisville-area Kroger stores, which will feature the winning recipe, sponsored by Kentucky Beef Council and Official Seasoning by Dan-O’s Seasoning.

APRIL 13

REPUBLIC BANK

KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL BOURBONVILLE®

6:30-9:30PM FRAZIER HISTORY MUSEUM

Taste signature drinks from Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries, enjoy bourbon-inspired cuisine and meet the master distillers. Tickets: $55 general admission; $90 VIP experience. General admission tickets include bourbon and food tastings, commemorative glass and BourbonVille pin. VIP includes complete event experience, VIP room, plus 5:30PM early access and premium gift bag. (21 and over only. Must present ID upon entry.) Tickets available by calling (502) 584-FEST or online at KDF.org Sponsor: Republic Bank. Contributing Sponsors: Bristol Catering, Caesars Southern Indiana and Frazier History Museum. Media Sponsors: Classic Rock 107.7 and TOPS Louisville. Official Safe Ride Home Partner: Kentucky Office of Highway Safety

APRIL 25

KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL “TASTE OF DERBY FESTIVAL®”

5:30-8PM LOUISVILLE SLUGGER FIELD

Features exquisite fare from more than 30 of Louisville’s finest restaurants, plus bourbon distilleries and beverage companies. Highlights this year include an expanded Wine Pull raffle and a Spirits Pull. Tickets are $90, available in advance only. Coordinated by Dare to Care Food Bank. All proceeds to benefit Dare to Care. For more information, call (502) 966-3821 or visit tasteofderbyfestival.org Sponsor: Brown-Forman Corporation.

APRIL 27-MAY 5

KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL CHOW WAGON®

Open daily 11AM-11PM, except Sunday NOON-10PM KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONT

Outdoor food and live music venue. Happy Hour Weekdays

4-6PM $3 beer at the Beer Garden. Admission is free with a 2023 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.)

Sponsor: Kroger. Official Craft Beer: TEN20 Craft Brewery. Official Seltzer: High Noon. Music Stage Sponsor: Miller Lite.

APRIL 27-MAY 5

KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL FLAVORS OF FEST-A-VILLE

OPEN DAILY 11AM-11PM WEEKDAYS ONLY. KROGER’S FESTA-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONT

Featuring $2 to $4 samples of festival food. Enjoy a variety of Fest-a-Ville flavors at this great new event. Admission is free with a 2023 Pegasus Pin®. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.)

APRIL 30

MAYOR’S DERBY BRUNCH ON THE RIVER

11AM-1:30PM RIVERSIDE, THE FARNSLEY-MOREMEN LANDING

A festive brunch featuring a traditional Kentucky breakfast, music, live auction and tours of the property including the Moremen Family Chapel. Tickets $120. Produced by Riverside, The Farnsley-Moreman Landing. For tickets or information, call (502) 935-6809 or visit RiversideLanding.org

APRIL 30

Kentucky Derby Festival Sunday Funday Drag Show Brunch

1-3PM KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE ON THE WATERFRONT, CHOW WAGON MUSIC STAGE

A Drag Show featuring some of Louisville’s finest entertainers. Admission is free with a 2023 Pegasus Pin®. Food and drinks available for purchase. $150 VIP Experience includes prime seating for a table of 6, $50 in food and drink tickets, and a special swag bag for each VIP guest. Produced by Louisville Pride Foundation. (Food, drink and pets are not permitted.)

MAY 1

Kentucky Derby Festival Knights Of Columbus Charity Dinner

5:30PM Social Hour. 6:45PM Opening Ceremonies. 7PM Dinner. GALT HOUSE ARCHIBALD COCHRAN BALLROOM

Dinner tickets $50. Produced by the Bishop Spalding Council of the Knights of Columbus. For tickets, call (502) 893-2220.

MAY 2

Chicken Salad Chick Kentucky Derby Festival Winefest

6-9PM wine tasting sessions

MELLWOOD ART CENTER

General admission tickets include wine tastings, food pairing demonstration, souvenir glass and WineFest pin. VIP includes 5PM early entrance, opportunity to barrel taste local wine, gift bag and access to private room with food stations.