The Kentucky Derby Festival 2023 Pegasus Pin is here! Here's where to find them

This year, the Kentucky Derby Festival is celebrating the 51st edition of its iconic Pegasus Pins, the "secret" way to get into many of the festival's 70+ events for free this spring.

"The Pegasus Pin is still your key to Derby Festival fun, providing free admission into more than half of our events," said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival president and CEO. "The pins are a tremendous value, including coupons and the chance to win weekly grand prizes. Plus, the funds raised from pin sales help the Festival continue to produce events for the community each year."

New this year, the Pegasus Pin comes in three different color combinations, the Derby Festival's signature pink and teal, as well as orange and teal and green and teal. All three colors are on a white background. The geometric design of the pins is inspired by pins from the 80s and 90s.

Here's what else to know about the 2023 Kentucky Derby Festival's Pegasus Pin:

Where can I buy a Pegasus Pin?

Pegasus Pins are available at grocery stores, gas stations, banks and other retail locations around Metro Louisville, Southern Indiana and surrounding areas beginning March 6.

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How much does a Pegasus Pin cost?

The 2023 Pegasus Pin costs $7 in stores and retailers. They can also be purchased at KDF events for $10. The 2023 Festival Fun Pack has the best savings for a family — five Pegasus Pins in one envelope for $30, a $5 savings.

What is the Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin?

The Pegasus Pin was modeled after the Kentucky Derby Festival's traditional symbol of the Pegasus, which was established with the very first Pegasus Parade. Dubbed the "Pegasus" Parade for the winged horse of Greek mythology, the first event was to symbolize the magic, energy and excitement the festival hoped to generate before it was fully established.

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What prizes can I win when I purchase a 2023 Pegasus Pin?

The Kentucky Derby Festival is giving away nine grand prizes associated with the Pegasus Pin over an eight-week period. Any 2023 Pegasus Pin can win, it just needs to be registered online. To register a Pegasus Pin, visit pegasuspins.com.

This year's weekly grand prizes include a $3,000 Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Speakeasy Bourbon Party, $2,500 in Main Event Entertainment Gift Cards, $2,500 Commonwealth Credit Union Visa Gift Card, $2,500 Great Clips prize package, $3,000 Ashley HomeStore Shopping Spree, $2,500 in Mike’s Car Wash Ultimate and Ceramic Washes, $2,500 Academy Sports Gift Card, $2,500 Kroger Fuel Card, and $2,500 Kroger Grocery Card. The drawings will be broadcast on WAVE.

What is the Gold Pegasus Pin?

If you are lucky enough to open your envelope and find a Gold Winner Pegasus Pin, be sure to register it online. A Gold Pegasus Pin gives you the chance to win a $20,000 cash grand prize to be given away on May 12. With more than 18,000 of these pins in circulation, the odds of finding a Gold Winner Pegasus Pin are approximately 1 in 13.

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What are the coupons that come in the Pegasus Pin envelope?

Along with the chance to win grand prizes, each Pegasus Pin envelope also includes an offer from Great Clips, as well as 13 other coupons provided by retail and business partners including Mike Linnig’s, Flying Axes, Rootie's Sports Bar & Grill, the Kentucky State Fair, and more.

What events can I go to for free with a Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin?

Proceeds from the sales of Pegasus Pins allow the festival to provide free events to the public such as the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade and Thunder Over Louisville just to name a few. In all, over 60% of the Kentucky Derby Festival events are free to the public. Your 2023 Pegasus Pin offers you free admission to select Kentucky Derby Festival events including, but not limited to:

• April 22: Thunder Over Louisville

• April 27-May 5: Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville -Chow Wagon

• April 28: Great BalloonFest: Great Balloon Glow

• April 29: Great BalloonFest: Great Balloon Race

• May 1: Great Bed Races

• May 5: Waterfront Derby Eve Jam Concert

Reach features reporter Kiby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby Festival 2023: Pegasus Pins, prizes, free admission