The Courier Journal's best photos from 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass through St. James Court during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass through St. James Court during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

A cyclist passes through St. James Court during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

A cyclist passes The University of Louisville during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

A cyclist passes The University of Louisville during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Cyclists pass Louisville landmarks during the Kentucky Derby Festival PNC Tour de Lou Sunday morning. April 12, 2026

Taste signature drinks from Kentucky’s Bourbon distilleries, enjoy Bourbon-inspired cuisine and meet the Master Distillers at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Jordan Rivers enjoyed a cigar at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Carolyn Orbell, right, and Carol Applegeet at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Lot’s of different Bourbons where available at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Rhorer Couture is a hat boutique owned by Jacey Rhorer at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Rhorer Couture is a hat boutique owned by Jacey Rhorer at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Rhorer Couture is a hat boutique owned by Jacey Rhorer at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Lot’s of different Bourbons where available at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Taste signature drinks from Kentucky’s Bourbon distilleries, enjoy Bourbon-inspired cuisine and meet the Master Distillers at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Jeff Brohm’s autographed football was available at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Beth Stevens, Ashley Davis and Kristen Jensen of Davis Jewelers attended the KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Devon, Teri and Lyn Amsler worked their booth Moss Hill at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Lot’s of different Bourbons where available at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Donald Miller, General Manger of Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, gave away samples at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Donald Miller, General Manger of Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, gave away samples at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Taste signature drinks from Kentucky’s Bourbon distilleries, enjoy Bourbon-inspired cuisine and meet the Master Distillers at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Lot’s of different Bourbons where available at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Tom Browne, and his wife Christine, own Nothing bundt Cakes talks to Michael Paynter at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Elizebeth Smith got some food at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Baron Jones and Renee Brooking got some foodl at KDF BourbonVille at the Ice House. April 2, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

The 2026 Kentucky Derby Royal Court did a cheer before going into the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

The 2026 Kentucky Derby Royal Court did a cheer before going into the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

Tania Vergara-Gongora is crowned as the 2026 Kentucky Derby Queen Festival during the Fillies Derby Ball and Coronation at the Omni Hotel Saturday night. March 28, 2026

A bottle of Evan Williams with yellow wax adorned with a 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin. Thursday, February 12, 2026

The first shipment of Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pins arrive at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Thursday, February 12, 2026

A bottle of Evan Williams with yellow wax adorned with a 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin. Thursday, February 12, 2026

A bottle of Evan Williams with yellow wax adorned with a 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin. Thursday, February 12, 2026

The first shipment of Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pins arrive at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Thursday, February 12, 2026

The first shipment of Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pins arrive at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Thursday, February 12, 2026

The first shipment of Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pins arrive at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO and Jodie Filiiatreau, Evan Williams Artisanal Distiller dip a bottle of Evan Williams with a 2026 Pegasus Pin attached. Thursday, February 12, 2026

The first shipment of Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pins arrive at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO and Jodie Filiiatreau, Evan Williams Artisanal Distiller dip a bottle of Evan Williams with a 2026 Pegasus Pin attached. Thursday, February 12, 2026

Kentucky Derby Festival poster artist Shae Goodlett signs a finished poster just off the press at Welch Printing. Welch CEO Brian Houchens, is at left. Friday, February 6, 2026

Kentucky Derby Festival poster artist Shae Goodlett looks over a finished poster just off the press at Welch Printing. Welch CEO Brian Houchens, is at left. Friday, February 6, 2026

Kentucky Derby Festival poster artist Shae Goodlett watches posters printed at Welch Printing with his wife, Jackie, and children Lolly, 10 mos, Hazel, 2 and a half. Welch CEO Brian Houchens, is at left. Friday, February 6, 2026

Kentucky Derby Festival poster artist Shae Goodlett watches posters printed at Welch Printing with his wife, Jackie, and children Lolly, 10 mos, Hazel, 2 and a half. Welch CEO Brian Houchens, is at left. Friday, February 6, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival 2026 Princess Vy Pham at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival 2026 Princess Brianna Williams at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival 2026 Princess Tania Vergara-Gongora at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival 2026 Princess Mallory Brown at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court 2026 are Vy Pham, Sydney Shouse, Brianna Williams, Mallory Brown and Tania Vergara-Gongora at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court 2026 (left to right) Vy Pham, Mallory Brown, Brianna Williams, Sydney Shouse, and Tania Vergara-Gongora at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival 2026 Princess’ Mallory Brown and Brianna Williams give each other a high five at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival 2026 Princess Brianna Williams is being prepped for a photo by Aimee Boyd at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival 2026 Princess Mallory Brown puts on her tiara at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The Kentucky Derby Festival 2026 Princess Sydney Shouse at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Jan. 11, 2026

The KDF Burger Challenge at Kroger’s in Middletown. March 12, 2026

2026 KDF Burger Challenge burgers (LEFT TO RIGHT) Cañonero II from Jeny Fernandez of Louisville, Smoke Show Slaw Cheeseburger from returning champ Ira Mowman of Louisville, The Goober Burger from Jason Thrasher of Columbia, KY, and The Jerk from Greg Yopp of La Grange. March 12, 2026

2026 KDF Burger Challenge contestants (LEFT TO RIGHT) Jeny Fernandez of Louisville with the Cañonero II; returning champ Ira Mowman of Louisville with the Smoke Show Slaw Cheeseburger; Jason Thrasher of Columbia, KY with The Goober Burger; and Greg Yopp of La Grange, KY with The Jerk.

Greg Yopp, of La Grange, is the winner of the KDF Burger Challenge. His burger, The Jerk, has Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef, Dan-O’s Seasoning, pepper jack cheese, jerk paste, mayo, red onion, avocado, plantain chips and Dave’s killer bread. March 12, 2026

Greg Yopp, of La Grange, is the winner of the KDF Burger Challenge. His burger, The Jerk, has Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef, Dan-O’s Seasoning, pepper jack cheese, jerk paste, mayo, red onion, avocado, plantain chips and Dave’s killer bread. March 12, 2026

Greg Yopp, of La Grange, is the winner of the KDF Burger Challenge. His burger, The Jerk, has Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef, Dan-O’s Seasoning, pepper jack cheese, jerk paste, mayo, red onion, avocado, plantain chips and Dave’s killer bread. March 12, 2026

Greg Yopp, of La Grange, is the winner of the KDF Burger Challenge. His burger, The Jerk, has Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef, Dan-O’s Seasoning, pepper jack cheese, jerk paste, mayo, red onion, avocado, plantain chips and Dave’s killer bread. March 12, 2026