Kentucky Derby Festival Seeks Volunteers for 70+ Events

Hundreds of community members help put on the annual celebration, but more are needed.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:24pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a repeated pattern of a Kentucky Derby Festival souvenir pin or medal in neon colors, capturing the celebratory spirit and community involvement that makes the festival a beloved annual tradition.Volunteers are the backbone of the Kentucky Derby Festival, helping to coordinate the logistics of over 70 annual events that bring the Louisville community together.Louisville Today

The Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville, Kentucky is preparing to host over 70 events as part of its annual month-long celebration, but the organization is in need of more volunteers to help make it all happen. The festival's spokesperson, Aimee Boyd, says the 23-person staff relies heavily on thousands of volunteers to sell merchandise, hand out medals, lead parades, and more. Some volunteers only work a few hours, while others join committees and help plan events year-round.

Why it matters

The Kentucky Derby Festival is a beloved annual tradition in Louisville that brings the community together. Volunteers play a crucial role in making the festival a success, allowing the relatively small staff to coordinate the dozens of events. As the festival continues to grow, more volunteer support is needed to ensure it runs smoothly.

The details

Volunteers can choose to work as little or as much as they'd like, from just a couple hours at specific events to joining committees that plan the festival year-round. Tasks range from selling Pegasus pins to handing out medals at the finish line of the mini and full marathons to leading the Pegasus parade. Longtime volunteer Andy Murphy says he helps out at events like the PNC Tour De Lou and Wine Fest because it's a way for him to give back to the community he's been a part of his whole life.

  • The Kentucky Derby Festival takes place annually in Louisville, Kentucky over the course of about a month leading up to the Kentucky Derby horse race.
  • Volunteer registration for the 2026 festival is now open.

The players

Aimee Boyd

Spokesperson for the Kentucky Derby Festival.

Andy Murphy

A long-time volunteer who helps out at dozens of festival events and serves on multiple planning committees.

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What they’re saying

“It would be a lot of work for our 23 staff members if we didn't have volunteers. The festival is for the community and the community helps us put it on every year.”

— Aimee Boyd, Spokesperson, Kentucky Derby Festival

“I've been a Kentucky Derby person my whole life. I grew up within about a mile of Churchill Downs, and the Kentucky Derby has been a part of my history. So it's just fun being able to give back to the community a little bit.”

— Andy Murphy, Volunteer

What’s next

Volunteer registration for the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival is now open on the festival's website.

The takeaway

The Kentucky Derby Festival relies heavily on community volunteers to help coordinate the dozens of events that make up the annual celebration. As the festival continues to grow, more volunteer support is needed to ensure it runs smoothly and the community can continue to enjoy this beloved tradition.