This past weekend I was able to check something off my bucket list! I also created a new addiction, because the derby is not a one and done type event.... I plan to go back every year. It's just that good. Me being the planner that I am and it being my first derby, I read blog after blog trying to best prepared my group of 6 for the weekend. Though, everyone seemed to leave some small detail out here of there.... and honestly the small details count BIG TIME when it comes to walking through the gates of Churchill Downs. So, here is my guide on - Howe To Derby-
Friday-- The Kentucky Oaks,
What to Wear:
Different people are going to tell you different things, and tell you it all matters as to where you sit... but lets be honest; you're at Churchill Downs! You want to look nice, heck you want to look like a million bucks! The Oaks is a day to wear pink. Some people go all out and wear hot pink from head to toe, others will do accents of pink, and some will just mix and match. As long as you are ripping your pink somewhere and you have on that derby hat you are good to go! If you are going to wear heels, I suggest wearing extremely comfortably wedges and a pair of flats to change into half way through the day. I tried to snap some pictures of fun outfit and hat combinations from the day, and if you are really feeling into the day you can enter into The Oaks Fashion Show! (Which I will defiantly be doing next year - so I can get a pink carpet picture!)
GATE 1, the tradition picture!
The Drink of the day it The Lilly, and believe me you're going to want these to be on tap. They are the perfect way to keep you hydrated under that hot Kentucky sun! You can buy them in the grandstand area and get a commemorative glass (and get it a little stronger) or in the infield and get the sweeter version in a plastic cup. No matter how you are drinking these yummy drinks, I suggest starting and ending the day with one!
During The Oaks we found ourselves pretty much just relaxing and getting a feel for the excitement of the weekend. I'm pretty happy with our decision to get the Infield tickets to let us really get the feel of the derby. We got there early enough (9 am) to get a good spot on the lawn in front of the jumbotron and have a view of the track when the horse would run by. Each member of our group brought a lawn chair (they can only go in through GATE 3) and we brought some snacks and drinks (non alcoholic) to keep us going though the day. NOTE: You aren't allowed to bring a cooler into Churchill Downs, but you can bring plastic bags of food and buy a cooler/ice for $5 and it was defiantly worth it! We all got quite a bit of sun throughout the day even though we had the sun screen flowing, thankfully now it is just a golden tan! Our group got up and walked around a few times, and we had to leave our stuff, but we made friends with some of our neighbors and we all took turns watching each others stuff. The guy in the orange was one of our neighbors who decided Nikki, Karsen, and I need to have a photoshoot. (He got on the ground and took some pretty great pictures actually.)
Saturday-- The Kentucky Derby:
If you like to have fun, you've come to the right place! This day was one for the books! There isn't a place in Churchill Downs on the first Saturday of May that isn't a party! We spent a little time in every part of the Downs between it pouring in the infield and the Vineyard Vines block party to watching the actual derby race in Millionaire Row... I'm not sure I could say what was the most fun. Ok, that is a lie. I enjoyed Millionaire's Row the best, but I never felt more American than standing in the pouring rain in a derby dress and hat as Lady Antebellum sang the national anthem.
One of the most exciting things that happened Saturday was being able to meet Kiel James Patrick and Sean Burke. I am obsessed with the KJP brand and look to Sarah and Kiel as role models for success. It's a huge dream of mine to be able to work for them some day, and having a chance to meet Kiel just for a spilt second solidified that dream even more. Sean Burke is my age and was recently hired on as a Vineyard Vines photographer, meanwhile I would be cool with just being a whale rep. (You might say I would be 100% ok with following in his footsteps.) I could have done nothing else Saturday and been completely content with my day if all I had done was meet these two pretty amazing men, though I was extremely disappointed I didn't have a business card on me to leave an impression on them the way they have on me. (Follow them on social media @KJP @seangaleburke )
While at the derby there are 2 very important things you want to do. 1) Make sure you are in good company. The picture below is myself and some college republicans getting our derby on! They made for the perfect derby day team as well as Karsen (picture above) and Nikki. Nikki and I found some amazing places to take some best friend/sorority pictures. 2) GO TO THE VINEYARD VINES CONCERT! The slogan, "Everyday should feel this good" couldn't be more true than the Vineyard Vines tent on derby day!
Go to the derby, explore. Don't keep yourself in the box of your own little section BUT defiantly live up where ever your ticket is! Come prepared to spend some cash (because the Churchill Downs is pretty much cash only.) Watch some races, and buy a program! Meet some new friends in your section and learn how to bet together! Have a set amount you're willing to loose (just in case) and let the good times role! My limit was pretty small for the weekend because I was just learning how to read everything BUT I won big with my little budget! Be prepared to go with the flow and to dance in the rain if you get caught in it! Who knows when you'll find yourself in the infield while it's pouring.. making you have to find a new hat to wear the rest of the day!?! Dress supper comfy and supper classy (pearls are ALWAYS a yes.) Bring an extra phone battery because believe me you WILL use it after those million pictures and people texting you asking why you are so cool and are at the derby. And just have fun!
Thanks for reading,
- T
Nikki
Pink Dress
Nikki --
Blue Dress
My
Pink Dress (Similar)
My
Black and White (Way cheap)
My
Silver KJP Bracelet
My
Blue KJP Bracelet
