Latest news with #KentuckyDerbyFestival
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Governor's Derby Celebration poster for 2025 unveiled
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — On Thursday, Gov. Beshear, First Lady Britainy Beshear, and Lieutenant Gov. Jacqueline Coleman welcomed some special guests during a Team Kentucky update. Humberto Lahera González and Kentucky Derby Festival President Matt Gibson met with state leaders to unveil the poster for the 2025 Governor's Derby Celebration. Lahera is a beloved artist in the Cuban and American art worlds alike, engaging diverse audiences through public work to inspire the next generation of artists, celebration organizers said. The poster, titled 'Unleashed at the Finish,' captures the dynamic energy and challenges of the Kentucky Derby, according to a press release. Lahera was also given the honor of artist for the Woodford Reserve bottle for the 151st Derby. Henderson County assesses damage after 'historic flooding' Governor's Derby Celebration poster for 2025 unveiled Ashland doctor admits to giving patients unapproved weight loss drug 'Being selected as the artist for the Governor's Derby Celebration poster is one of the greatest honors I have ever received. This project represents my contribution to Kentucky, combining artistic techniques I learned in the land where I was born with new techniques I've developed in the United States,' said Lahera. 'Leaving my artistic mark brings me great satisfaction, especially knowing that I've only been living in America for two years and yet I'm already becoming part of its legacy, history, and tradition. I can only express my gratitude to everyone, especially Gov. Beshear, for believing in my art.' The 151st Kentucky Derby will be held on May 3 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The 2025 Governor's Derby Celebration Poster is available for purchase, along with those of previous years, at the Historic Properties Online Store. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kris Kiser Receives First-Ever Louisville Tourism Impact Award
Equip Exposition Leader Recognized for Meaningful Contributions to the Derby City LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at the official corporate kick-off of the 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival, the 69th annual They're Off!®, Kris Kiser—President and CEO of Equip Exposition, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), and the TurfMutt Foundation—was presented with the first-ever Louisville Tourism Impact Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication to the city. "It's a true honor to be the first recipient of this award," says Kiser. "Louisville is now home for me, and I'm proud to be part of its continued momentum as one of the country's most vibrant cities." Kiser's ties to Louisville run deep. A native of the region and a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Law, he relocated from Washington DC to Louisville in 2022. He brought the management of award-winning Equip Exposition in-house, immediately establishing its offices in downtown Louisville, a key step in strengthening the partnership between the city and the organization he leads. One of the top five largest trade shows in the United States, Equip Exposition is held each October in Louisville and is a major economic driver generating over $30 million annually for the city. Since Kiser and his team took full ownership of the private show, it has seen record-breaking attendance: 25,000 in 2022, 27,000 in 2023, and 28,500 in 2024. "We're always looking for ways to promote the city," adds Kiser. That support includes a recent $1 million contribution from the TurfMutt Foundation to Waterfront Park, now home to the newly-named TurfMutt Great Lawn. The Foundation has been a leading advocate for green space and outdoor learning for over 15 years, and both the Foundation and OPEI now also have an office presence in Louisville. Last year, the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) honored Kiser with the 2024 Excellence in Philanthropy Humane Hero Award for his long-term support of the organization and for animal rescue and rehabilitation. Kiser also serves on the Waterfront Development Corporation Board of Directors and Kentucky Venues Advisory Board. More than 1,000 supporters and community members gathered for the awards luncheon at The Galt House Hotel's Grand Ballroom to launch the Derby season today. Media contactsAmi Neiberger, Four Leaf PR on behalf of OPEI, 703-887-4877, ami@ Mayster, Four Leaf PR on behalf of OPEI, 240-988-6243, debbi@ About Equip Exposition Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition, is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, and is one of the top five largest trade shows in the United States. The show is a Trade Show Executive Gold 100 Grand Award Winner, and is co-located with Hardscape North America. Equip publishes "equip" magazine and is owned and managed by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association representing manufacturers of outdoor power equipment, parts, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars, and their suppliers. For more information visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Equip Exposition Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Thunder over Louisville fireworks show canceled due to severe flooding of Ohio River
Thunder of Louisville has been canceled and will not be rescheduled in 2025 due to the severe storms that have dropped near-record flooding across much of Kentucky, Louisville officials announced Saturday. The annual fireworks and air show, scheduled for April 12, kicks of a series of festivities leading up to the May 3 Kentucky Derby. The remainder of those roughly 70 events are not affected , but Thunder, due to the extensive planning that goes into it, will not be rescheduled in 2025. Thunder is considered the marquee event of the Kentucky Derby Festival. Except during COVID-19, Thunder over Louisville has never been canceled in its 36-year existence, Gibson said. 'We've made the very difficult decision to cancel Thunder Over Louisville this year. Believe me when I say we're just as disappointed,' Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Matt Gibson said during a Saturday afternoon news conference. 'This was not a decision we came to very easily.' 'When you look at the projections for where the Ohio River is going to crest and how long its going to take to get back to its usual stage, this challenging, disappointing decision was not even a close decision,' Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg added. 'Over the last 24 hours, the Ohio River has risen more than five feet, and we expect it to significantly rise higher over the next 2-3 days.' Though much of Louisville got a reprieve from rain and storms Saturday afternoon, evening and overnight rains are still expected to push Kentucky's largest city into near-record flooding levels. Since the storm has been more gradual rather than constant in Louisville, the city's Fire Chief Brian O'Neill urged people not to let their guards down. 'Since we haven't had this huge storm like we had earlier in the week — this has been more of a steady encroaching water and rain — don't let that lull you into a false sense of security,' O'Neill said. 'We have another system that's going to hit us (and) we're going to have a lot of heavy rains. Please try to stay safe. Since Thursday, severe weather and torrential rain have battered much of the state, causing life-threatening flooding and thousands to lose power, brought on by a 'conveyor belt' of weather system that spans multiple states. Two people have died. On Friday, Greenberg encouraged Louisvillians not to use their washing machines or dishwashers this weekend as a means of conserving water, as the city's sewer and stormwater systems are at capacity. By Saturday afternoon, heavy rains had already swelled the Ohio River to flood levels. The river is on track to reach 'one of the top 10 flooding events' in the city's recorded history by the end of the weekend, Greenberg said. In a news release from earlier in the day, Gibson added: 'This weather event and flooding is like nothing we've faced before, especially this close to Thunder. While we'd love to bring everyone together (April 12) to watch one of the best air shows and fireworks shows in the country, we know it's not logistically possible and would not be safe to do so.' It's not logistically possible because the Ohio River, already having reached flood stage with more rain expected, will not recede enough over the next week to allow for organizers to set up necessary infrastructure for the event, or for barges carting fireworks to safely navigate the swollen waterway, Gibson explained. 'The height and the speed of the river will prevent us from doing that,' Gibson said. City officials have installed a number of flood walls to protect against additional anticipated flooding from continued rainfall Saturday overnight. Factoring the additional rainfall forecast, the city expects more than 99% of the waterfront to be underwater.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Famous Louisville air and fireworks show kicking off Kentucky Derby celebrations canceled: ‘We are just as disappointed as you'
Video note: Despite this article's time stamp, the above video is the latest forecast from The Weather Authority. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — The sound of jet engines and dazzling fireworks won't be roaring over Louisville to ring in the 151st Kentucky Derby, officials announced on Saturday. Thunder Over Louisville posted on Facebook that the famous event had been canceled for safety reasons. 'Unfortunately, Thunder is such a large-scale event and massive logistical undertaking involving partners at local, state and federal levels, that it's not able to be postponed or rescheduled for another date,' event organizers explained. University of Kentucky says 4 students have had their visas revoked Famous Louisville air and fireworks show kicking off Kentucky Derby celebrations canceled: 'We are just as disappointed as you' Nelson County responders find 1 dead inside fully submerged vehicle Officials with Thunder Over Louisville said they are disappointed in having to cancel but knew that they needed to focus on the community and Kentuckians affected by flooding and severe storms. 'We still have a full schedule of Kentucky Derby Festival events planned leading up to the first Saturday in May and hope you'll join us in the coming week,' event organizers wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UK fans can own a piece of Rupp Arena
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — University of Kentucky fans have a chance to own a piece of Kentucky basketball history. Rupp Arena is teaming up with Artsman to release an exclusive collection made from the court the Cats played on from 2001 to 2024. Mini courts, wood blocks, ornaments—even jewelry and desk displays—are all crafted from the original hardwood. These 17 bills received Gov. Beshear's signature, 4 vetoed for worker's rights and constitutional violations Outrage sparked as Lexington animal abuse suspect could evade record of felony charge Georgetown woman crowned 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen This is the same floor where John Wall hit a buzzer-beater in his debut. Where Anthony Davis blocked a game-winner in 2012 and where Tayshaun Prince drained five straight threes against North Carolina You can see the full offerings and prices online on the Artsman website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
