Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront & Great Balloon Glow
April 25 @ 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest: Great Balloon Glow
One of the most anticipated events of balloon race weekend is the Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow. This year, there will be TWO opportunities to see the Balloon Glow, as it returns to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront on Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25.
Friday, August 25, 2025
7:00 PM: Parade of Balloons
8:00 PM: Balloon Staging
9:00 PM: Glow Begins
The Great Balloon Glow is a companion event to the race, the balloons on the field, but do not ascend. As the pilots fire their burners, watch as the balloons glow against the blackness of the night sky, synchronized to a special musical score.
You are invited to walk around the field and talk to the pilots as they have more time to show off their balloons than on race morning.
Even if you plan on coming to the race, you don’t want to miss the unique beauty of the glow. It’s a one-of-a kind experience!
Admission will be free with your 2025 Pegasus Pin®.
Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville℠
April 24 – May 2, 2025
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM: Daily Hours
12:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Sunday Hours
(Food, drink and pets are NOT permitted)
Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville entry is a 2025 Pegasus Pin!
The ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE featuring concerts with local and regional acts, family fun, food, kids’ inflatable playground, midway rides and more.
Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront will return for its 19th year in 2025. Sponsored by Kroger, the party starts on the Great Lawn and runs through Derby Eve. It promises to have something for everyone – and admission is free with a 2025 Pegasus Pin.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE 2025 KROGER’S FEST-A-VILLE COMING SOON!
The 900,000-square-foot venue will host several Festival events, including the L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Glow, Chow Wagon, Ohio Valley Wrestling Run for the Ropes, HappyTail Hour, Ken-Ducky Derby and more.
Fest-a-Ville also offers a wide variety of activities for children, featuring midway-area and attractions at Pegasus Play-Ville Presented by Norton Children’s, including merry-go-round, ships ahoy, a giant slide and much more.
From the opening day ribbon-cutting to Derby Eve, Fest-a-Ville will be the downtown destination at Kentucky Derby Festival time.
Chow Wagon®
Thursday, April 24 – Friday, May 2, 2025
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM: Daily
12:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Sunday
Happy Hour Weekdays from 4:00 – 6:00 PM
$4 Beer at the Beer Garden
The Chow Wagon returns to Waterfront Park on the Ohio River. The Music Stage will feature live concerts with local and regional entertainment and a wide variety of musical genres including jazz, R&B, country, rock and blues.
The Chow Wagon is food and fun! You can feast on everything from cookie dough to turkey legs and elephant ears. There’s something for everyone!
Where else can you find great food and live musical entertainment in a riverside setting for a 2025 Pegasus Pin admission? Meet your coworkers for lunch or come down for an evening concert. There’s no way to go wrong by making a visit to this great outdoor party.
**These events are produced by the Kentucky Derby Festival**