Pegasus Parade marches through downtown Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky Derby week started with an annual springtime tradition.

The Kentucky Derby Festival held its Pegasus Parade in downtown Louisville as thousands of people attended the spring event. It's the fourth straight year the parade has been held on a Sunday. It's the 70th parade in the festival's history.

The parade started at Broadway and Campbell Street and marched west to 9th Street. The first Pegasus Parade was in 1956 on a budget of only $640. It is the oldest festival event.

Shane Crowe, a senior at Louisville Male High School, volunteered at the parade.

"I love giving back to the community, as I said, before I leave off for the military I want to embrace the city, I want to embrace giving back to the community," Crowe said. "I love doing this with my school, we represent the community, we stand up for the community and part of the vibes out here, I love it. It makes you smile."

Churchill Downs once again sponsored general admission bleacher seating for the parade. More than 3,000 seats along Broadway were available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Among highlights from the parade's past include grand marshals John Wayne, Michael Landon, Lorne Greene and William Shatner. Entertainers from Carol Channing and Liberace to Gladys Knight and Loretta Lynn have also taken part. And Kentucky legends like Muhammad Ali and Colonel Harland Sanders have been favorites. General Norman Schwarzkopf also rode in the parade in his first public appearance in the U.S. at the conclusion of the Gulf War.

To learn more about the parade, click here.