The parade, first held in 1956, is the Derby Festival’s oldest and founding event. It began on a budget of $640 and now provides an impact in excess of $14 million to the local economy.
In 2007, the parade attracted a crowd estimated at 150,000 spectators along Broadway despite rainy and misty weather conditions. Mickey Mouse, in his role as The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, served as the Grand Marshal of the parade. Mickey appeared courtesy of The Walt Disney Company and Radio Disney AM680 in keeping with the event’s theme – “Wonders, Wizards and Wands.” Renowned magician and Louisville native Mac King served as the parade’s “Grand Magician.”
Making his appearance in the 1940’s feature film Fantasia, Mickey stars as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, perhaps his most famous role. The Walt Disney Production features Mickey as an aspiring magician who oversteps his limits when he borrows his mentor's forbidden magic hat and enchants a broomstick to do his work for him.
Mac King has followed a more traditional path to success. Growing up in Louisville’s Cherokee Park area, he was inspired by his grandfathers – Elwood Huffman and Pax King – both keen amateur magicians. He joined the Louisville Magic Club at age 14. Mac was recently named “Magician of the Year” by the Magic Castle in Hollywood, and is the only performer to be featured in all five of NBC TV’s “World’s Greatest Magicians” specials. Currently, Mac can be seen in The Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Harrah’s Las Vegas.
Other parade celebrities included: Kate Flannery of NBC’s “The Office,” Milena Govich of NBC’s “Law and Order,” Navi Rawat of CBS’ “NUMB3RS,” April Bowlby of CBS’ “Two and a Half Men,” actor and comedian J. Anthony Brown, and Kate Linder of CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”
Also returning for the sixth straight year was “Absolutely Pegasus,” the character balloon being carried down the route by parade sponsor Republic Bank & Trust Company. The symbol of the Kentucky Derby Festival contains more than 6,000 cubic feet of helium.
Supporters of Kosair Charities were cheering down the parade route as their float took home the Sweepstakes Award for best overall float. Sustainable Louisville was awarded the Grand Prize Award (Best Overall – Self Built), Kentucky State Fair Board took the Festival’s Chairman’s Award and the Parade Chairman’s Award for Best Overall – Commercial Built went to Grand Lodge of Kentucky.
Eleven floats and eight inflatable characters joined equestrian units and marching bands from across the country. Seneca Valley High School from Pennsylvania took top honors in the AT&T Real Yellow Pages Battle of the Bands competition. Calloway County High School of Kentucky finished second in the voting, followed by Jasper High School of Indiana.
The parade is known for its beautiful equestrian units. Grand Champion Equestrian Unit went to the Budweiser Clydesdales. Dunkin Acres Miniature Donkeys won first place in the Non-Commercial Driven division and White Horse Mounted Patrol won Best Mounted Unit. Best Commercial-Driven went to Wells Fargo Stage Coach. Best inflatable (character balloon) went to the “Magic Wizard” sponsored by Citi and Best Specialty Unit was awarded to WOW 4-H Unicyles.
It is not surprising that the parade is consistently voted as one of Louisville's favorite events. The parade is a true community asset and generates an economic impact annually of $14 million. More than 90% of the route is free public viewing thanks to the sponsorship of Republic Bank & Trust Company. The parade was lead by their “Absolutely Pegasus” balloon.
Mark your calendars for 2008. The 53rd parade promises to be a spectacle of colorful floats, marching bands, giant inflatables, equestrians and celebrities parading down Broadway in downtown Louisville on Thursday, May 1st.
