Kelsey Knott • Photos by Matt Johnson and Provided
If there’s anything I know (and love) about being a Kentuckian and Louisvillian, it’s that we know a great party. And the Kentucky Derby Museum is throwing one you can’t miss–the annual Kentucky Derby Museum Ball!
The Ruby Jubilee will celebrate the museum’s 40th anniversary, and the museum is thrilled to bring the ball back on-site this year. As the kickoff to Derby week festivities and Louisville’s gala season, The Kentucky Derby Museum Ball is always the Friday evening before Churchill Down’s Opening Night–this year, on April 25th. While Thunder over Louisville with the Derby Festival provides a public celebration two weeks before the big race, the KDM Ball builds the excitement that Derby week is finally here.
For 40 years, the Kentucky Derby Museum Ball has been a glamorous evening celebrating history, tradition, and community. Since the nonprofit museum first opened its doors in 1985, this annual gala—its largest fundraiser of the year—has brought together Derby lovers, partygoers, and philanthropists alike to revel in the magic of the Derby season while supporting the museum’s mission. Flipping through black and white photos of past Kentucky Derby Museum Balls is like stepping back in time—elegant gowns, dapper tuxedos, and the unmistakable energy of Derby season. This year, the Ruby Jubilee will bring that same timeless glamour to life with a vibrant, modern twist, promising a night of luxury, excitement, and unforgettable memories.
Patrick Armstrong, CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum, has been in the Derby business for 30 years. He speaks on the tradition of this springtime event and urges Louisvillians to take part in this night to celebrate the joy of Derby season as a celebrity in their own right. “When I first came here in 2015, it seemed that the general public didn’t think they could access the ball or thought they had to be invited. It’s not celebrity focused. We turn to Louisville’s celebrities and folks who just want to have a good time and get in the spirit for Derby week.” Although there is a mailing list and invitations, anyone who buys a ticket is on the list for the ball. Last year’s event welcomed 750 guests, and this year’s Ruby Jubilee promises an even more intimate and exclusive experience. With limited capacity, securing tickets early is the best way to guarantee a spot at this unforgettable celebration.
In the past, the event has been held elsewhere, like the Infield, Churchill’s parking lot, and the First Turn Club. Because the museum itself is hosting this year, Armstrong and the KDM staff are excited to reveal updates the museum has made. “A brand-new The Greatest Race movie in the Great Hall will be shown the night of the ball. We’re going to premiere it a couple of weeks earlier, but we’re known for the 18-minute movie that shows in our 360-degree theater space.” The film will be shown before the band starts.
The KDM Ball is a black-tie event, starting with a cocktail party that leads into an elegant sit-down dinner and ending with live music and dancing. Armstrong acknowledges the hard work of the KDM Ball Committee, made up of about 25 volunteers to help the museum staff plan, sell, and pull off the gala. “They do fabulous work. They start a year ahead and are very tapped into the community.” This year’s Ball Committee Chair is Ashley Davis, Davis Jewelers VP of Sales and Service. It was the KDM Ball Committee that came up with the idea for The Backstretch Afterparty a few years ago, allowing folks who are less interested in dinner and more interested in dancing an option to do so.
As many Kentuckians may know, the true magic of Derby lies in the spirit of the event. Armstrong recalls the feeling in the air when showing The Greatest Race in the 360-degree movie theater. “Most people will get a tear in their eye when they see it. We love the emotion.” When asked what he hoped people gained from experiencing the ball this year, Armstrong’s reply was simple: “A great time getting into the Derby spirit. There’s not a lot of talking heads and programming. It’s dinner and a really great party.”
As the museum’s main fundraiser, the KDM Ball supports the museum in offering free field trips, developing new programs, building new exhibits, and more. “Our mission is to engage, educate, and excite everyone about the Kentucky Derby and certainly, the ball does that.” It’s a night where guests are part of something bigger: a legacy of Derby celebrations that spans four decades. Whether sipping cocktails in the museum’s own Winner’s Circle or dancing the night away at the Backstretch Afterparty, every guest contributes to the ongoing story of the Kentucky Derby Museum—one of passion, preservation, and unforgettable memories.
The museum is open every day to tell the stories of the Kentucky Derby. Last year, the museum saw a record number of 258,000+ visitors. This is the third of three big years for the museum– after opening a permanent Secretariat exhibit for his 50th anniversary in 2023 and celebrating Derby 150 last year, it’s now the museum’s time to shine with its 40th anniversary.
So, if you’re from Louisville or visiting and want to make your mark on Derby history, you can buy tickets to the Ruby Jubilee now! And don’t wait–Armstrong reminds us: “Anyone can purchase tickets to the ball. They do go pretty quickly, so purchase early!”
