The Flying Pig  Marathon took more out of me than I thought.  I wanted to attend both Oaks and Derby races.  My allergies gave me the blues on Oaks Day, and I wasn’t feeling too peppy on Derby either.  On the bright side, I was able to enjoy the Pegasus Parade for the first time this year.

My foster daughter, her Mom and two of my former Smootents sat in the bleachers along Broadway and Second.  The parade allowed me to see that there really is something for everyone when it comes to Louisville’s largest festival of the year.  The Pegasus Parade kicked off with Louisville’s Finest which included one of my spin instructors from the Y, Jody.

Mayor Greg Fischer is always in the mix doing great things for the city of Louisville.

I enjoyed seeing television personalities Monte Durham from “Say Yes to the Dress” and Ray J and his girlfriend Princess from “Love and Hip Hop.”

This year’s theme was “Fun for the Arts.”

The inflatables were pretty impressive.  I knew there was drama when several police rode by on bikes up Broadway.  Moments later, news spread about a shooting two blocks away.

I was appalled that two idiots would place people’s lives in danger at a free event to entertain the community.  Having attended parades in larger cities, I was surprised to see how people nonchalantly crossed the parade route in between floats.  The Louisville Male Football team and Damion Lee knew how to have fun and lead by example.

The crowds were happy when the Balloon Fest Winner Van went by.  It was getting a little chilly, and we could feel the heat from the burner on the sidelines.

Another Derby tradition is the making of the Garland of Roses at the Middletown Kroger.  I went late on Derby Eve expecting the crowds to be light.  There was a line out the door.  Kroger gave out rose pedals from Freedom Roses that didn’t make the cut.

Kelsie Lou