The Kentucky Derby Festival is coming back for 2022 in a big way, according to KDF officials.There will be a return to live and in-person events this year as the festival is releasing dates for the upcoming annual celebratory build-up to the Kentucky Derby.Events will span several weeks from mid-March through Derby week, and will include the usual favorites like Thunder Over Louisville, Kroger's Fest-a-ville on the Waterfront, the Great BalloonFest, the Great Bed Races, the Great Steamboat Race and the Pegasus Parade, along with other events.This year's Thunder Over Louisville will return to the banks of the Ohio River after being distributed across the city in several smaller firework events for last year's return after having no Thunder in 2020."We're looking forward to spring and being able to gather safely again to enjoy our favorite Kentucky traditions," said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. "The past couple of years has given us all a new perspective and that’s been a driving force for the Festival as we’ve been planning for 2022 and beyond."Some familiar events during the festival this year, however, will be rescheduled to unfamiliar times in order to help with production timelines and to improve accessibility for attendees, KDF officials said. For example, the Pegasus Parade, the Festival's oldest event, will be held on a Sunday afternoon, May 1, to kick off Derby week instead of its traditional Thursday.Downtown businesses like The Galt House Hotel are already noticing the excitement.“The phones are ringing and travelers are making reservations but we do still have availability,” said Skip James, AJS Hotels, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “It's really a morale booster for travel for the whole year and a great kickoff for derby.”That revenue trickles down to other local businesses too.“Our business is driven by tourism and anytime the hotels are full we typically are flooded with business. Any out-of-town business usually increases our business,” said Addison Durham, Troll Pub Louisville manager.The Zoeller Pump Company Touring Parade, a smaller traveling display that began in 2021 by taking the parade into neighborhoods during the pandemic, will still continue on in 2022. It will travel about all over the city on Saturday, April 2.Here is a list of some of the Kentucky Derby Festival events:Republic Bank BourbonVille – April 14 Stock Yards Bank $1 Million Hole-in-One Golf Contest – April 14-24 PNC Tour de Lou – April 16 They're Off! Luncheon – April 22 Thunder Over Louisville – April 23 Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront – April 28-May 6 Great BalloonFest – April 29-30 GE Appliances miniMarathon & Marathon – April 30 Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade – May 1 Great Bed Races – May 2 Kentucky Proud WineFest – May 3 Liberty Financial Great Steamboat Race – May 4 Festival Day at the Downs – May 5 Derby Eve Jam – May 6There is a complete list of all the highlights of the festival on the KDF’s website here.