Quick question -
After what seemed to be an eternity (5 years to be exact) I was finally offered tickets to the 06 Derby and Oaks. Since it is my first year, I%26#39;m pretty low on the totem pole and in Infield Grandstand 10. I have been a life long horse racing and Derby fan and have wanted nothing more than to be with my girl in a ridiculously expensive (and huge) hat However, knowing how rowdy the infield is, I was wondering if this was appropriate. What should one wear in the infield grandstand? Similar to what is worn in the main grandstands? Please help me out as I%26#39;m trying to organize this....I don%26#39;t want to be overdressed but I certainly don%26#39;t want to be underdressed!
I was originally thinking a nice sundress and a hat for her and a kahki suit and oxford shirt for me....
Thanks in advance!
Jason
Kentucky Derby Dresscode HELP!
Jason, one thing you want to do for sure is check weather.com before you get here. We%26#39;ve had monsoons and cold and 90 degree weather in May. The weather in Louisville is very unpredictable! The infield seats are metal bleachers. You%26#39;ll be able to see the horses where the rest of the infield will usually not. However, you will still have to negotiate the betting areas, bathrooms (portable) drink lines, etc, so you need to wear comfortable clothing. There will be no shade at all, so remember your sunscreen. It%26#39;s pretty much anything goes as far as dress, so the bottom line is dress for the elements and comfort.Most in the infield will be very casual. Be sure to check Churchill Downs%26#39; site online to see a list of what you are allowed to bring in!
Kentucky Derby Dresscode HELP!
Congrats on scoring tickets! First, it%26#39;s true that most in the infield will be wearing jeans or shorts but in the grandstand area you will see a mix. My opinion is that this is your day, you%26#39;ve waited 5 years, so if it%26#39;s a hat she wants, go for it! Your girlfriend certainly wouldn%26#39;t be the only one in a hat. Her in a casual sundress and you in khakis and a shirt (suit not necessary) would be fine. Just don%26#39;t wear something that you would be terribly upset if it got dirty or beer spilled. And if the forecast calls for rain, it will be extremely muddy so you may want to reconsider and go very casual. Have fun!!
Thanks a million! I can%26#39;t wait. I was also wondering where in Louisville is good to eat and something to do on Friday night - I%26#39;ve heard many a story about Derby Eve parties. I%26#39;m going to the Oaks as well and on Thursday we%26#39;re taking a little sidetrip into Bourbon country to visit a barrell that has my name on it in Loretto and play in red wax.
Thanks again everyone!
Here%26#39;s another piece of advice ..... from one who%26#39;s been to Oaks twice, and Derby once ...
Have your GF bring 2 pairs of shoes ... her ';cutesy'; pair that matches her dress, and a COMFORTABLE pair to walk in.
Congratulations... and welcome to Louisville%26#39;s time to shine! I%26#39;d love to go again, but will be home with a brand new baby instead!
Dianna
Oh .... another thing ....
Since you%26#39;re from out of town, might I recommend, instead of going to Maker%26#39;s Mark, why not try the Labrot and Graham distillery instead? (this is where they make Woodford Reserve) It%26#39;s not far from Louisville, and in my opinion, is what Kentucky is all about. Rolling hills, set RIGHT smack in the middle of horse farms, and you%26#39;ll get to learn about how bourbon is made, as well as sample at the end of the tour. I%26#39;ve taken many friends from out of town, and they LOVED it.
Dianna
Jason,
This will be my 4th Derby and I%26#39;ve been to Oaks 4 times also. I can tell you I sat in the infield grandstands on numerous occasions and always felt appropriately dressed in a golf shirt and khakis. If you haven%26#39;t been to the Derby and/or Oaks, let me give you fair warning you%26#39;re going to see a ton of people dressed to the nines and some other people that look like they just fell off a turnip truck in front of Downs. In the infield you%26#39;ll actually be mostly sectioned off from the general admission infielders that will be wearing, at best, shorts and occasionally a shirt and, at worst, much, much less. From where you%26#39;ll be, you probably won%26#39;t see much of the true infield unless you seek it out. If it%26#39;s going to be warm, DON%26#39;T OVERDRESS. You%26#39;ll regret it. Hope this helps.
A nice place to go on a friday night would be 4th street live. It may be crowded and a little more expensive, but you have so much CHOICE on what to do. There is shopping, bars, clubs and resturants in just one covered block so if its raining it doesnt matter - you can still sit outside. Check out 4thstreetlive.com if you want to know more.
Regarding Derby-eve, what type of nightlife are you looking for? Each area/establishment has a slightly different crowd %26amp; vibe.
-Fourth Street will have a younger crowd %26amp; will have more non-Louisvillians.
-Bardstown Road has a big concentration of bars, pubs %26amp; restaurants. No chains. Each is different and there%26#39;s something for everyone.
-Frankfort Ave. also has a good selection of unique/local bars %26amp; restaurants.
Without knowing your budget or preferences, here are a few of my picks for dinner if you want to ';do it up'; with your date on Derby eve. Each place is unique with great food %26amp; atmosphere. All will book up, so try to make reservations ahead.
1. Jack Fry%26#39;s Restaurant (Bardstown Rd) - Intimate, romantic %26amp; classic.
http://www.jackfrys.com/
2. Porcini%26#39;s (Frankfort Ave) - Rick Patino%26#39;s favorite. If you get in, you%26#39;ll probably spot him.
louisville.citysearch.com/profile/4276329
3. Seviche (Bardstown Rd)
www.iglou.com/restaurants/seviche.shtml
4. Artemisia (Market St. Butchertown)http://www.artemisiarestaurant.com/
5. Asiatique (Bardstown Rd) www.asiatique.bigstep.com/homepage.html
6. Pat%26#39;s Steakhouse (lower Brownsboro Rd.) Be advised. Big $$$$ and doesn%26#39;t accept credit cards. Bring cash.
americascuisine.com/restmenu.cfm/…490
7. Captain%26#39;s Quarters (Prospect/On the River)http://www.cqriverside.com/picture_gallery.htm
Last but not least, try to do breakfast at Lynn%26#39;s Paradise Cafe during your stay. Be advised that it is ALWAYS crowded, but here%26#39;s my super-secret trick to avoiding the 2 hour wait. The seats at the bar are ';seat yourself';. If you see a couple of open seats at either of the bars, just cruise past the hostess and plop down.
http://www.lynnsparadisecafe.com/
I also received Derby and Oaks seats this year after a long wait. It will be our first time. Sect 126 of the granstand about 15 rows off the rail. My wife wants to do the hat/dress thing and I was going to wear slacks and a sport coat. No tie or anything - just nicer clothes. Since we dont have clubhouse seats though , I was wondering if we will stick out like a sore thumb in those type seats?
Also - does anyone know if you are able to get into the clubhouse area without actual seats on Derby Day just to check it out? I usually go the the Belmont every year and you can pay a couple of bucks to get into that area?
Thank you.
The clubhoouse is all brand new now so everything is goig to different this year... Usually, they use a wristband system and the color of your wristband allows you into specific areas. There are escalators and elevators that get you upstairs into the clubhouse areas- these are also where the check your wristband. You probably won%26#39;t get upstairs early in the day but as the day progresses sometimes things relax... move as if you oown the place and things are easier. Yoou%26#39;ll still be able to go down to the paddock and watch them get the jockeys and horses ready to race. Most importantly, have fun and have at least one mint julip - you get to keep the glass and I think there is a law that requires you to drink one on Derby.
Also, for everyones info - the bars are open until 6:00 AM Friday and Saturday Nights...
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