Original artwork by Michele Lee. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The clock is ticking down for Madison Derby Days on May 4.

Live entertainment will begin at 3 p.m. with bluegrass tunes by Mike Ball and the Mountain Top Band. County artist Cristina Lynn will perform at 5:40 p.m.

Kozmic Mama will blast the blues at 7 p.m. “Zoot Suit Riot will entertain for the entire festival,” event organizer Dawn Johnson said.

The Designer Showcase Home is the Lewis-Powell House at 302 Church St., which will be open from 1 to 7 p.m. Designers are Noble Passage Interiors, Hartlex Antique Mall, Haley’s Home Flooring and Interiors, Portobello, Across the Pond and Madison Station Antiques. Tickets are $5.

Madison Arts Council is organizing the hat contest, and contestants must register by 4:15 p.m. MAC also will have stick-pony races. Bed races will start at 6:30 p.m.

The Derby Girls, Abby Lee Harmon and Leigh Thigpen, are helping Johnson in promoting Madison’s tribute to the Kentucky Derby.

Employees at Madison Chamber of Commerce, Harmon works investor relations manager and Thigpen as events, marketing and communications coordinator.

“Madison Chamber of Commerce is here to promote city events, so it was a natural fit for us,” Thigpen said. “We hope the Derby Girls will bring fun and excitement to the event by wearing our derby hats and red dresses while helping.” During the festival, they will sell 50/50 raffle tickets.

The Derby Girls will participate at future festivals, and city officials are defining requirements.

“Madison has grown so much over the past few years with residents coming from all over the country and the world,” chamber executive director Susie Masotti said. “Events like Madison Derby Days provide not only a link back in time to the history of Madison but also provide MCC members the opportunity to showcase their goods and services, all this while spotlighting the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society.”

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” Masotti said.

For more information, visit madisonderbydays.com.