This year has been very unusual in almost every way and the running of the Kentucky Derby will be no different. The ”Run for the Roses” was postponed and moved from the first Saturday in May to September 5th.
Change To September 5th
They did not feel that the regular date in May would work because, without the fans, the excitement would have been muted. The Kentucky Derby racetrack is all about the energy of the fans in attendance. Kentucky authorities felt by moving it to September, health conditions possibly would show improvement, fans would be welcome and feel safe at the track.
September 5th was chosen as the alternate date because of the very limited sports competition on TV on that day. September is also a slower tourism period in Kentucky and there would be plenty of lodging availability in Louisville and surrounding areas.
Changes At Churchill Downs
Make no mistake , it will be very different at Churchill Downs regardless. Tickets are not available at the box office and can only be purchased online. You can only gain entry with mobile tickets. The number of fans in attendance will be limited as well. There will be social distancing requirements.
Masks will be required. Menu selections will be reduced and individually prepared. There will also be hand sanitizer dispensers all around Churchill Downs. Most importantly, all bathrooms, handrails, seating, and elevator buttons will be cleaned constantly throughout the day.
They can’t be sure that this will go off without a hitch. If virus cases go through the roof leading up to the big day, will they have to hold the event without any fans in attendance? No one seems to want to think about that option but it is always a possibility. A lot can happen in the month of August.
Saving Money At The Derby
What I do know is that this all-week event brings in tremendous revenue for Louisville and the state of Kentucky. I get that. It will have to be very bad for them to resort to having a silent Derby day without thousands and thousands of Mint Juleps being sold. Hopefully the medical experts will have a bigger say than the politicians in Kentucky.
If you have plans on attending, these tips will save you lots of money and also ensure a great experience for you. With the proper value travel tips, you can experience more in Louisville and Lexington Kentucky. First of all, don’t overspend on your accommodations. You can spend a fraction of it as a result of some smart planning and prep beforehand. When you come for Derby week in Louisville, consider staying 70 miles away in Lexington for better deals.
Kentucky Derby Fashion
You may think Derby is about the big race but you will see it is about fashion and the tradition! From 12 until 2:30, keep an eye to see which celebrities have arrived on the red carpet for the big race! Plenty of A-listers have been in attendance in the past.
In the sports world, there is not a more emotional moment than when the horses step onto the track for Derby post parade at 6:35 PM which is approximately 15 minutes before the race starts. At that point everyone in attendance sings the traditional “My Old Kentucky Home.”
What Should You Wear?
When you are considering what you will be wearing that day, keep in mind that clothing prices will be higher in the weeks leading up to Derby week because of the demand for them in local stores or online. This is an outfit involving color combinations you may not currently own. Remember that your face mask color can also play into the overall look! There is no such thing as being overdressed for Derby but it is worse to be underdressed. Derby day is a day for dresses. Jeans are not the clothing item of choice this day. Pastels, pinks, yellows, whites, and light blues all work.
For footwear, dress for comfort. Consider not wearing high heels. You are on your feet all day, you will be walking a lot, and it will get uncomfortable. Men will want to look for a bowtie. Fun socks fit in well also.This is definitely not the day to play it safe! Men could focus their pants or shirt with tropical colors like Key Lime, Ocean, Pink, and Citron. The sports jacket is important and you can’t go wrong with a navy blazer. For men’s shoes, loafers are a good choice. You should wear them without socks if you can’t find colorful fun ones. Most men’s Derby hats are solid and inspired by 1920s style.
For the women, choose the hat first then the outfit. Hat can be both large and over-the-top. Don’t overthink it, you cannot make a bad choice. You will see all types of hats there.
Purchasing Affordable Race Tickets
In terms of purchasing tickets, the 1st floor grandstand area, sections 127 and 128 are our recommendation. These are bleacher-style seats, no backs and typically the best value seat option. They are trackside and trackside is where you want to be. The further away from the finish line the less it will cost. The best reason to get a reserved seat is you do not have to arrive early. You will thank us later. Bring a small towel. On the dirty bleacher-style seating, sitting on the towel will keep your pants/dress clean. If it rains you can use it to dry off your seat.
Stay Prepared
It is a long day, with the big race starting at 6:50 PM. As long as you have a reserved seat, no need to arrive before noon. 12:03 is post time for race #4 and the big race is #12. I suggest you plan on picking up a boxed lunch at any of the restaurants in town selling box lunches for the track. You may also pack your own snacks or lunch in clear bags. Make sure it’s smaller than 18’’ by 18’’. Bottled water can save you a lot of money by bringing it in a sealed, clear,and an unopened bottle. Limit of two, 24 oz. bottles per person. No cans, glass bottles or containers. Not only do you save a lot of money because of the very overpriced options at the track, it saves you from standing in very long lines for food. With social distancing it may be even slower. Certainly, by staying prepared, you can avoid the common travel mishaps on your journey.
What About The Mint Juleps?
If you want to try a Mint Julep, skip the $15 one at the track and order a much better one for much less at a fine restaurant that offers outdoor seating.
Prepare For Inclement Weather
They do not allow umbrellas at Churchill Downs so invest in a clear poncho and you still get to show off the outfit you worked very hard on. The poncho may be the most important clothing accessory you cannot afford to forget. It’s a long day so don’t forget your sunscreen. After you see the weather forecast for the day, you will know exactly which items will be needed.
Parking At Churchill Downs
If you are driving there, you have two very good options: Park at Cardinal Stadium, then make the short walk to Churchill Downs or park in the residential neighborhood surrounding Churchill Downs, then walk to the track. Most people do that and save that money. Don’t get sucked in to expensive parking lots of $25 and higher. People will offer their driveways for $10 in most cases and it is easy-in, easy-out.
Flying To The Derby
If driving to the Derby is not a feasible option for you, you will need to plan a flight. Flying to the Derby, landing in Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is likely your best option. Even though SDF is an international airport, beware it primarily serves domestic destinations. The easiest cities to get a flight to Louisville from are most often Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Charlotte. If you are planning a flight, the airport is only roughly six miles south of downtown. Of course, if you are lucky enough to be within driving range, you may want to consider renting a van or RV for your journey. To help you get prepared, check out our ultimate RV travel guide.
What Else To See On Your Visit
If you are making the trip all the way to Kentucky for the Derby, you should see several sites during your visit. To increase your knowledge about the race, pay a visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum. The museum is located right at Churchill Downs, and offers an abundance of exhibits, artifacts, history, and experiences. In addition, Lousiville, Kentucky is home of world famous boxing legend Muhammad Ali. The Muhammad Ali Center in Downtown Louisville honors his life and legacy through an interactive museum. In addition, be sure to check out his childhood home on Grand Avenue, famous for its bright pink color. In addition, be sure to check out the best local live entertainment and Kentucky Bluegrass music for your upcoming trip.
Predictions For 2021
As of now, the 2021 Kentucky Derby is still on schedule to go as planned. That being said, the current date for the Derby is Saturday, May 1, 2021. However, ticketing capacity for the 20201 version of the Kentucky Derby will still be limited in anticipation of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested, you can sign up for your 2021 Kentucky Derby tickets today. Tickets are currently set to start a $3,800 for premium boxes of 6-8 people. Therefore, this may not be the best destination for your solo travel experiences.
Stay safe, wear your mask, watch your social distancing and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime event!
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