Celebrity Day at the Downs began in 1981 as the “Thorobred Celebrity Luncheon.” Meant as a “thank-you” to the many volunteers working on the Pegasus Parade, the luncheon provided an opportunity for people to meet and greet the parade grand marshal. It quickly became apparent to the Festival that many of the parade volunteers were not able to attend the luncheon due to their efforts on the parade route that day and the Celebrity Luncheon soon evolved to a public event at Churchill Downs. Word quickly spread about this “hot ticket” and chance to meet the Pegasus Parade grand marshal each year, making the luncheon an annual sell-out. For more than twenty years, the luncheon has featured the Grand marshal or Marshals of the parade and recently added more parade celebrities in the last decade as the parade began to draw more entertainers and Hollywood stars.

Ticket Prices: $892 for a preferred table of 8, $792 for table of 8, $99 for single ticket