LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby is less than a week away, and Louisville is stepping into the world's spotlight.
The founding event of the Kentucky Derby Festival stepped off Sunday, and thousands showed up for the annual Pegasus Parade.
IMAGES | Pegasus Parade returns in full force as thousands gather on Broadway
University of Louisville marching band at the Pegasus Parade.
Ethan the Dog at the Pegasus Parade.
A Kentucky Derby Festival princess waves to the crowd at the Pegasus Parade.
People line Broadway for the 2022 Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
Gov. Andy Beshear waves at the Pegasus Parade.
Semple Star Steppers at 2022 Pegasus Parade.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer at the Pegasus Parade.
Student athletes from the University of Louisville wave to the crowd at the Pegasus Parade.
A deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office rides a motorcycle at the Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
Hwang's Martial Arts at 2022 Pegasus Parade.
Derbi Citi Royalties Divas wave to the crowd at the Pegasus Parade.
People line Broadway for the 2022 Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
Parade float the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
People line Broadway for the 2022 Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
A marcher at the 2022 Pegasus Parade waves to the crowd.
People line Broadway for the 2022 Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
A baby waves during the Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
Bellarmine men's basketball team at Pegasus Parade.
Ethan the Dog at the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
A Kentucky Derby Festival princess waves to the crowd at the Pegasus Parade.
People line Broadway for the 2022 Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
Louisville Skaters United perform at the Pegasus Parade.
A small child is carried across Broadway during the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
University of Louisville marching band at the Pegasus Parade.
American Side Saddle Association at the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
U of L women's basketball player Mykasa Robinson, center, waves to the crowd at the Pegasus Parade.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer at the Pegasus Parade.
People line Broadway for the 2022 Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
Gov. Andy Beshear waves at the Pegasus Parade.
University of Louisville marching band at the Pegasus Parade.
Virginia Moore, executive director of the Kentucky Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, waves to the crowd at the Pegasus Parade.
City of St. Matthews - JCPS Justice Now march at the Pegasus Parade.
U.S. and state of Kentucky flag are carried during the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
Gov. Andy Beshear waves at the Pegasus Parade.
People line Broadway for the 2022 Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
Simmons College marching band performs at the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
American Sidesaddle Association at the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
A marcher performs during the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
American Sidesaddle Association at the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
A member of the Soljettes Dance Company waves to the crowd at the Pegasus Parade.
Bellarmine men's basketball team at Pegasus Parade.
Hwang's Martial Arts at 2022 Pegasus Parade.
People line Broadway for the 2022 Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
A spectator records the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
Semple Star Steppers at Pegasus Parade.
Bellarmine men's basketball team at Pegasus Parade
Norton Healthcare at Pegasus Parade.
Kosair Shriners at Pegasus Parade.
An LMPD officers waves to the crowd at the Pegasus Parade on May 1, 2022.
A float at the 2022 Pegasus Parade.
A boy waves to people at the Pegasus Parade.
People lined Broadway for the parade, and they could feel the excitement.
From fire trucks to Ethan the dog, at times it was more of a roller derby on the street.
There was something for everyone at the first fully attended parade since 2019.
"It's like some type of normalcy," Esther Johnson said. "We're getting back to some type of normalcy."
Johnson and her husband, Ronald, set up a few minutes early to get a good spot for their first one in 15 years.
"We're excited to be here," she said.
Deanne Weeks and her husband, Mike, celebrated his birthday in Louisville for the first time, all the way from Montana.
"We came for opening night at the races, and we're taking in all of the festivities that we can," Weeks said. "The marching band is actually my favorite."
Even people who grew up going to the parade were happy to be enjoying it once again.
"This is the biggest event that we do have that is great for everyone to come out and have a great time and have fun, laugh and giggle," Gary Coffee said.
"It's inspirational, because you don't really get things like this. Today in this world, there is a lot of things that's going on, but when we have nice events like this we come together and make it happen."
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