BY GREGORY A. HALL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
So the governor didn't invite you to his box seats at the Kentucky Derby? There's still a week's worth of festival events fans can go to.
Louisville's Kentucky Derby Festival is sort of like a two-week-long block party where 1.5 million people salute a two-minute horse race with a parade, a steamboat race, concerts and Kentucky food and beverages.
"I think it's part of being a Kentuckian," said Shirley Huelsmann of Fort Mitchell.
She and husband Marty got tickets from Gov. Paul Patton last year.
Mr. Huelsmann worked in the administration, and Mrs. Huelsmann is head of the Kenton County Democratic Party.
This year they'll be attending the governor's Derby Day breakfast at the Capitol, where 10,000 people are expected at the free event. Included on the menu: Kentucky country ham.
In Louisville on Saturday, about 6,700 people ran in the MiniMarathon, while another pack of thousands watched 50 entries in the Great Balloon Race.
Wednesday is the Great Steamboat Race between Cincinnati's Delta Queen and the Belle of Louisville. The two paddle-wheelers plod upriver 7 miles and return downtown.
Thursday's main attraction is the Pegasus Parade that features Titanic stars Billy Zane and Gloria Stuart and actors Ken Osmond and Jerry Mathers -- better known by their TV names, Eddie Haskell and the Beaver.
And last, there's Saturday's Kentucky Derby, the two-minute reason for everything that preceded it.
