Kentucky Derby Chow Wagon Adds Attendance Policy for Minors After Weekend Disturbances

by:Nick Roush•about 10 hours•

RoushKSR

The Kentucky Derby Fes-a-Ville, aka the Chow Wagon, hosts OVW, via Scott Utterback:Courier Journal : USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images — The Kentucky Derby Fes-a-Ville, aka the Chow Wagon, hosts OVW, via Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The artist formerly known as the Chow Wagon is making an abrupt change. The Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual event at Waterfront Park is altering its attendance policy for minors after rabble-rousers disrupted the event on Sunday afternoon.

Now officially called the Kroger Fest-a-Ville, consider it the county fair of the Kentucky Derby Festival. There are food trucks, carnival games, a midway, and live music every day running through Derby Eve. Only four days into the event, it was disrupted by the youths.

There were multiple disturbances reported at the Chow Wagon on Sunday involving minors. One video showed a female being detained. While she was being escorted off the property, others tried to prevent the arrest from happening. A couple of hours later, a police officer was roughed up while detaining another individual.

In response to the events, the Kentucky Derby Festival is only allowing minors under the age of 18 to enter the Chow Wagon with an adult over the age of 21. A chaperone may be responsible for up to six kids at a time. IDs will be checked upon entry into the event. Chaperones are required to remain at the Chow Wagon with the minors.

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“Safety is always the Kentucky Derby Festival’s top priority,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “We want the entire community to be able to attend our events and this new policy will ensure we continue to have a family-friendly environment at Fest-a-Ville that everyone can enjoy.”

The Chow Wagon is a good hang. It’s unfortunate that things got out of hand on Sunday. Hopefully, this new policy cuts down on the tomfoolery. Yes, I’m well aware that I sound like the oldest man alive.

Admission to the Chow Wagon is free with a 2025 Pegasus Pin. Pegasus Pins are $7 in advance at local retail outlets and $10 at the event entrance. On Thursday night, Ohio Valley Wrestling will take center stage, followed by Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders on the Miller Lite Stage Friday night.

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