Kentucky Derby Museum moving forward with annual gala to raise funds
Museum will host the only major Derby-season gala this year
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 7, 2021) – Tickets are selling quickly for Kentucky Derby Museum’s Gala presented by Central Bank & Trust Co, with limited tickets remaining for purchase. The elegant evening filled with dinner and dancing, serves as the premier fundraising event for the Kentucky Derby Museum. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the gala was canceled during the Derby 146 season.
It marks the 34th year for the event, which will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021, starting at 6:00 pm.
“Kentucky Derby 147 is on, and so is our Gala. This decision was made carefully and with much discussion between Museum staff and our Board of Directors. It has been a tough year financially for the Museum, like many other non-profit organizations,” said Patrick Armstrong, President & CEO of Kentucky Derby Museum. “But tourism is slowly bouncing back. We are seeing a nice flow of guests through the Museum daily, and feel that people are ready to safely celebrate the Kentucky Derby. As a GBAC STAR certified facility, we can provide both a safe and fun event to kick off Derby week.”
GBAC STAR certification is the gold standard for prepared facilities. This accreditation means the Museum staff is trained in proper cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention protocols.
The Kentucky Derby Museum Gala is the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraising effort. The money raised through ticket sales supports the Museum’s curatorial and educational programs, and other services of the Museum. The Museum’s education team teaches over 30,000 students each year in the classroom, on field trips, and through virtual experiences, the demand of which has increased tremendously during the pandemic. Funds raised also go towards the curatorial department, tasked with the important job of preserving and sharing artifacts and history of the Kentucky Derby with the public.
The night will kick-off with cocktails, followed by a seated dinner and dessert on the Museum’s Oaks Terrace, an outdoor, open-air, covered space, followed by dancing with live music. Kentucky Derby Museum's COVID-19 protocols meet or exceed the social distancing, capacity, and health and safety guidelines outlined by local, state and CDC authorities, and these protocols will be implemented during the Gala. Guests will be required to wear masks, except while eating or drinking. The Museum will have hand sanitizing stations throughout the event for the safety and convenience of guests.
Tickets, tables and sponsorship packages are now available at DerbyMuseum.org or by contacting Sheridan Gates at [email protected].
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About Kentucky Derby Museum (DerbyMuseum.org)
Kentucky Derby Museum, a 501(C)(3) non-profit public charity organization in Louisville, Kentucky has a commitment to ENGAGE, EDUCATE and EXCITE everyone about the extraordinary experience that is the KENTUCKY DERBY.
About Central Bank & Trust (CentralBank.com)
Central Bank is headquartered in Lexington, KY. Central Bank serves consumers and businesses with full-service banking, investment, mortgage, insurance and wealth management services, all provided locally. Central Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Bancshares, Inc. that operates 26 banking offices and 37 ATMs in Boone, Clark, Fayette, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Madison, and Scott counties. Two additional banking centers will open during the first quarter of 2019, located at 3541 Outer Loop in Louisville, KY and at U.S. Highway 42 in Union, KY. Central Bancshares is the holding company for Central Bank & Trust Co., Central Insurance Services and Central Investment Center. Central Bank was recently honored as a Best Place to Work in Kentucky.
