Kentucky has multiple springtime events taking place this month. Sunday, April 13, the Commonwealth’s annual Easter celebration will take place. The holiday event in Frankfort is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the south lawn of the capitol.
It will include family-fun activities, an Easter egg hunt, crafts for kids, food trucks, and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. Governor Beshear said families will want to arrive early for the Easter egg hunt.
“You want to make sure that you’re there before that starts because we have these huge lines of about a hundred kids that line up at the field that all the eggs are in, and I’m supposed to blow a whistle, except we were playing a song the first year that had a whistle in it, and immediately all the kids flooded the area. It’s just this joyful and incredible thing to see and be a part of,” said Beshear.
Also taking place this month is the Kentucky Derby. Derby Week kicks off with Commonfest at the capitol on April 26 from noon to 5 p.m. The celebration will include live music, food trucks, games, breweries, wineries, craft distillers, a farmers market, and more. Governor Beshear said the event will showcase the great parts of Kentucky.
“There are many unique things that make Kentucky such an incredible place and they will be on display on Saturday, April 26th. We hope to see everyone there,” said Beshear.
Derby events will be happening all week at Churchill Downs. Opening night at the derby will start at 4 p.m. on the 26th and will include a Great Gatsby inspired evening and celebration. The first race will start an hour after gates open. Dawn at the Downs, where derby contenders can be observed during their morning workouts, will take place both Sunday and Monday.
502’s Day will take place the following Tuesday. The event will be paying tribute to Muhammad Ali, who was from Louisville. The 30th will be Winsday at the racecourse, where local nonprofits will be invited to fundraise and highlight the work they do. Thurby day, which will include a display of the state’s heritage will take place on Thursday. Friday and Saturday will be reserved for the Kentucky Oaks fillies race and the Kentucky Derby respectively.