Kentucky Derby Museum kicking off the Race To 150 on December 6, 2023
Community invited to all-day Derby party with free admission, fun activities, prizes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (November 29, 2023) – December 6, 2023 will mark 150 days until the 150th Kentucky Derby®, and Kentucky Derby Museum is kicking off the Race To 150 with a free all-day celebration that you won't want to miss.
The community is invited to join in the Race To 150 festivities and start the countdown in style at the Museum! On December 6, Kentucky Derby Museum will offer free admission from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the first 150 guests will receive a commemorative Race To 150 gift. The day will be packed with a fashion contest, prizes, time capsule, kid-friendly activities, complimentary Derby treats, plenty of shopping, irresistible happy hour offerings, and much more. Guests can find an itinerary of all the Race To 150 activities on the Museum's website.
"If Kentucky can party for two weeks ahead of Derby, then we can certainly find a way to celebrate for 150 days ahead of such a momentous year," said Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum President and CEO. "From families to fashionistas, historians to horse racing fans, there's something for everyone in our Race To 150 lineup. Wear your favorite Derby hats and join us at the Museum to celebrate the joy and magic of Derby!"
State and local dignitaries will officially open the Derby 150 Time Capsule at 10:30 a.m. during a press conference. A photographer will be in the Winners Circle to take commemorative pictures of guests that will be included in the time capsule.
Another highlight of Race To 150 will be the Railbird Runway Contest at 5:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear their Derby best for the chance to strut down the runway and win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place prizes: two tickets to the KDM Ball's Backstretch Party, 2 tickets to the KDM Hat Show, or a $50 gift certificate to the Derby Museum Store.
"We celebrate Derby every day at the Museum, but Derby 150 will be a thrill of a lifetime," said Katie Fussenegger, Kentucky Derby Museum Executive Vice President. "Race To 150 is our way of bringing the community together to celebrate our Derby legacy. We cannot wait to see everyone's Derby outfits, share Derby memories together, and highlight what makes Kentucky so special."
Whether attending the Museum's party or sporting a Derby hat at work, the Museum is encouraging all Kentuckians to find a way to celebrate the Race To 150 on December 6 and share on social media with the hashtag #RaceTo150.
The Race To 150 celebration will also serve as the kickoff for the Museum's lineup of Derby season events, tours, and merchandise.
Kentucky Derby Museum is proud to partner with the following organizations for the day's on-site activations: Churchill Downs Racetrack, Clayton & Crume, Elevate Coffee Company, Kentucky Derby Festival, Kentucky Derby Museum Featured Milliners, Kern's Kitchen Derby-Pie®, Louisville Folk School, Nice Cream LLC, Rosemary's Catering, and Wylie Caudill.
Kentucky Derby Museum is also partnering with Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport to hand out Derby treats and gifts at the airport on December 6, allowing travelers to join in the Race To 150 celebrations.
MORE INFORMATION: For more information regarding Race To 150, please visit derbymuseum.org/raceto150.
MEDIA NOTE: A media advisory for the press conference on December 6 at 10:30 a.m. will be released at least 24 hours in advance. To request preview interviews, schedule live segments, or access the shared Race To 150 graphics package, please contact Katrina Helmer, KDM Director of Communications, at [email protected] or 502-814-3027.
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