For Immediate Release
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront or Donna Moloney (502) 564-2611 or
Jim Carroll, Kentucky State Parks (502) 564-8110, x307
Derby Breakfast Has New Venue, But Promises
Same Old Southern Hospitality
Frankfort, Ky. - For more than 30 years, the Governor's Derby Breakfast has for thousands of Kentuckians and national and international out-of-state guests served as the kick-off for a full weekend of Derby festivities. For most of those years, the breakfast has been staged on the Capitol grounds.
This year, the celebration shifts to downtown Frankfort, a location that serves to emphasize the historic nature of the host capital city. The move came about because of construction taking place around the Capitol, enhanced security, and the desire to feature the “Main Street Kentucky USA” theme, as well as highlight the Kentucky Renaissance Program.
But while the venue is different, visitors will find the same old Southern hospitality that has made this event a popular tradition.
"We're delighted to host the Derby Breakfast in downtown Frankfort, " said Gov. Paul Patton. "This new site offers a historic setting in an informal atmosphere. I believe this will prove to be one of the most memorable Derby Breakfasts ever."
What's in store for Derby Breakfast guests? Let's take a verbal virtual tour and start at the intersection of Broadway Street and Wilkinson Boulevard. Here, you'll find Frankfort's Farmer's Market in full swing, with spring fruits and vegetables available for purchase. Continuing south on Broadway, stop by the Old State Capitol Grounds. Here, you'll find one of two food tents set up.
This year's Derby Breakfast will be served picnic-style. A visitor will pick up a souvenir paper bag emblazoned with the Derby Breakfast logo. Inside will be a Danish pastry, fruit, a muffin, and ham on a croissant. An English muffin with Canadian bacon and egg will be served up hot. Another serving tent will have coffee, juice and bottled water. (The only thing missing this year are the grits!)
Picnic tables will be scattered around the Old Capitol grounds. Also on the grounds will be a number of information tents. They include a Kentucky agricultural products tent, a booth for Derby Breakfast poster sales, a folklife exhibit, a Drive Smart exhibit, the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority mobile unit, the Fish and Wildlife Resources bus, and booths representing the Kentucky Horse Park and Kentucky travel. Visitors will have the chance to register for an overnight stay at a Kentucky state resort park.
"We believe visitors will love the informal atmosphere and the efficient and unique way the food will be served," said First Lady Judi Patton. "The Derby Breakfast shouldn't be about standing in line, it should be about enjoying the sites and sounds of this special event."
Food isn't the only thing visitors will enjoy at the Derby Breakfast. A variety of entertainment is on tap, from folk dancers to oldies' rock bands to choruses. The performers include The Stephen Foster Singers and Saxton's Cornet Band.
Some of the performers will entertain from two stages at the Old Capitol. Meanwhile, inside the Old Capitol, free tours will be held.
On the Old Capitol lawn and across the street on St. Clair Street, visitors will find the finest works of 28 craft vendors set up along the length of the mall. As always, the entire range of handicrafts will be available for purchase.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, street performers will entertain along the mall.
Also along St. Clair Street will be one of the Derby Breakfast's most entertaining features, an exhibit of classic cars.
At the intersection of Broadway and Ann Street, in the First Christian Church parking lot, another performance stage will be set up. There will also be a Kids Korner in the parking lot, featuring face painting. And across the street at the old train station depot, a second food tent will operate.
There's even more entertainment in store on the grounds of the Kentucky History Center, where a fourth stage will be set up. And, visitors will want to tour a special exhibit in which nearly all Kentucky Renaissance cities will have booths that illustrate why they were selected for that honor. Behind the History Center, tours will be conducted of the Lieutenant Governor's Mansion.
There's even more in store for guests. Walking tours of downtown Frankfort will be held throughout the morning. Also, downtown merchants will be open and eager to welcome Derby Breakfast celebrants. Meanwhile, throughout the crowd, costumed characters will entertain.
Parking will not be available downtown. Organizers encourage visitors to use the free shuttle service that will run from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. between the CHR Building parking lot at 275 E. Main St. and the intersection of St. Clair and Main. The breakfast itself this year has extended hours -- 7 a.m. to noon. As always, the event is free and open to the public.
As in years past, a printed souvenir invitation will be widely distributed. However, it is a keepsake and is not required for admission to the event.
The Governor's Mansion and the Capitol also will be open for tours on Derby Day from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. The mansion will feature a juried exhibit featuring the works of Kentucky artists.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: Images of Derby 2002 may be obtained at: http://gov.state.ky.us/derby/2002/derby2002.htm. Images of the 2001 Governor's Derby Breakfast may be downloaded from this web address: http://gov.state.ky.us/derby/derby2001.htm