Lindsey Rowe Getaway: For a Weekend “His Horse, Her Hat, and My Old Kentucky Home” Don a Derby Hat and head for Churchill Downs, the historic horseracing venue outside Louisville, Kentucky that hosts the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the US Triple Crown horse races, and this year it will be in its 139th year. Tradition is at the core of the Kentucky Derby; it always takes place on the first Sunday in May, and only three-year-old
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Thoroughbred horses can enter. But there’s more to the traditions than just the horses. Here are a few of those traditions to look for when you visit the famous Kentucky Derby. The Hats The Kentucky Derby is famous for not only its Thoroughbreds, but also its showcase of Derby Hats. Derby hats are all shapes, sizes, and colors, but they are all part of the pageantry that make the Kentucky Derby an American tradition. Men generally wear twenties-style hats and bow ties, while women wear sundresses, and a hat that shows off their personality. Chelsea Schroeder, an event planner that lives in Louisville, has made attending the Derby a tradition herself. “You rarely see anyone without a hat or fascinator,” says Chelsea. “A fascinator is anything from a few feathers to a hat attached to a headband. Everyone wears a conservative party dress and hat for Derby wear.” The Tickets
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Churchill Downs is famous for Millionaire’s Row. Millionaire’s Row is the premiere seating for the Derby; it is the place to see and be seen. Tickets run at about $5,000, but if you aren’t a millionaire, don’t fear! There’s still a place for you at the Derby. With a $50 general admission ticket you can join 80,000 other spectators on Derby Sunday anywhere else in the stadium. The
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Paddock offers more of a traditional experience with other Derby-goers in their best sundresses, suits, and Derby hats. The Infield, the middle of the track, has a more raucous, Mardi Gras-like
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vibe that generally seats younger attendants in just jeans and t-shirts.
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“My Old Kentucky Home” When the racehorses and their jockeys finally step onto the track, the University of Louisville marching band strikes up the melody to “My Old Kentucky Home,” the state song of Kentucky that was composed by Stephen Foster. “When you’re in the paddock it’s pretty cool because everyone puts their arms around each other sings,” says Chelsea. Just be sure to brush up on the
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lyrics before you head to the Derby so that you can take part in one of the most touching and distinctive Kentucky Derby traditions. The Horses The actual Kentucky Derby race is known as the “most exciting two minutes in sports.” It is even more exciting for the spectator if you pick your favorite horse as the winner. There are plenty of
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statistics you could read up on to help you pick the winner, but according to Chelsea, you should just go with your gut and “go by the name”. And there are plenty of eccentric names to choose from. For example, the 2012 Kentucky Derby winner was named I’ll Have Another. Traveling to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby is a bucket-list event that will give you a glimpse of a unique culture with plenty of its own traditions—study up and throw yourself into them. You’re sure to be a winner if you do. www.kentuckyderby.com www.churchilldowns.com Word count: 553 Sidebars:
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So you can truly feel like a Kentuckian, here are the lyrics for, “My Old Kentucky Home,” sung before every Kentucky Derby. “The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home Tis summer, the people are gay The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom While the birds make music all the day. The young folks roll on the little cabin floor All merry, all happy and bright By’n by hard times come a knocking at the door Then my old Kentucky home, Good-night! Weep no more my lady. Oh! Weep no more today! We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home For the old Kentucky home, far away.”
Don’t stand out for not wearing a Derby hat, stand out for wearing a fabulous Derby hat! Here are a few of headwear options that will make you feel like a true Southern Belle or Gent. A fascinator: a headband with any sort of topper attached A Derby hat: large brimmed, elaborate or simple. A derby hat can fit your style no matter what it is. A Derby bowler: A 20s themed hat for the men