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Capital City Hosting Derby Day Celebration

By Tony McVeigh

Frankfort, KY – Rising costs have put the kibosh on the annual, state-funded Governor's Derby Breakfast at the State Capitol. Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh says it's now more of a festival, and the location has changed.

In 1936, Gov. Happy Chandler invited a few friends over to the governor's mansion for Derby Day breakfast. Over the years, the event got bigger and bigger, and so did the budget. But in these tight economic times, the state can no longer afford to feed 15,000 people free country ham, eggs and grits. So, for its 75th anniversary, the breakfast is moving to downtown Frankfort, which now has 17 restaurants.

"We've got everything from breakfast pizza, to wonderful pastries, to sausage biscuits, to the full champagne breakfast."

That's event coordinator Bob Stewart, who says there also will be plenty to see and do, including two stages of musical entertainment, arts and crafts, children's activities and a farmer's market. It's about more than just breakfast, says Stewart. It's the 75th Governor's Derby Celebration.