LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One of the Kentucky Derby Festival's newest traditions is returning for 2025, with the fourth annual Block Party set for Saturday, April 19, at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center.
The daylong event, which began in 2022, will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and feature several activities. Here are some highlights:
- Cuisine from more than 20 food trucks and vendors, including complimentary water from the Louisville Water Company
- Vendors at the MELANnaire Marketplace highlighting Black entrepreneurs
- Live outdoor entertainment, including music, dancers, poets, theater acts and comedy
- Kids' activities in the ZEON Kids' Zone
- A community village with more than a dozen local nonprofits
- Financial literacy expertise and loan information from Park Community Credit Union
- Complimentary health screenings from Norton Healthcare
- Free hearing screenings and hearing protection from Heuser Hearing Institute
- Pop-up pickleball courts; equipment will be provided
Admission and parking are free. No outside food or drinks will be allowed.
The Kentucky Derby Festival features more than 70 events leading up to the 151st runnings of the Kentucky Oaks (Friday, May 2) and Kentucky Derby (Saturday, May 3).
To stay informed about everything related to the Derby Festival and both races, check out Spectrum News 1’s special section.
Connor Smith - Digital Producer
Connor Smith is a digital producer for Spectrum News 1 in Louisville, Kentucky. He joined the team in November 2023 and hails from the Chicago area. In summer 2023, he received his Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern's Medill School in Chicago, where he covered Super Bowl LVII, the Chicago Marathon and other stories around the city.