The party isn’t just for a day… here is your go-to Derby guide
It’s Christmas in Kentucky! Well… not really, it’s just Derby time so might as well be Christmas. Derby is such an exciting time for Louisville, from bourbon to big hats, what’s not to love? As the city makes preparations for thousands of guests to make their way into Louisville, locals are busy running around finding the right outfit, the perfect hat, and attending many Derby Week events. The party isn’t just for one day!
Leading up to Derby, you can expect the BB&T Great Balloonfest, the Chow Wagon, Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, Waterfront Jam Concert Series, Yoga on the Waterfront, Kickball at night, and so much more, there’s plenty to do for everyone in the family! Your admission to these events is easy…just purchase a 2019 Pegasus Pin and you are set. To find out more about all of the events click here.
Some great places to shop for Derby hats:
The Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central Ave.
Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Work the Metal
1202 Story Ave.
Mon-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., closed
Dees Crafts
5045 Shelbyville Road
Open daily
Peacock Boutique
2828 Frankfort Ave.
Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
4600 Shelbyville Rd
Mon.Sat., 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Sun., 12 p.m.- 6 p.m.
The Mysterious Rack: Hats and Apparel
558 S 4th St
Open Daily
Now that you know where to get the perfect hat, let’s talk about what really matters… Thurby, Oaks, and Derby!
Thurby is becoming the new Oaks for locals. It is probably my favorite Derby event. It is the Thursday before Derby (Thursday, May 2nd) and takes place at Churchill Downs. It’s a great way to prepare for Derby day! The theme for Thurby this year is Thurby Goes Gonzo. Live Gonzo Artist, Grant Goodwine, will be creating works of art in the Plaza. You can also expect music by DJ Matt Anthony and the Casey Powell Band, entertainment by Squallis Puppeteers who will be bringing Hunter S. Thompson to life throughout the track, and watch 11 races throughout the day! You can learn more about Thurby and purchase tickets here.
Friday, May 3rd, is your day for Fillies and Lilies, it’s Oaks! Wear your best pink outfit to support the Norton Cancer Institute, which has partnered with Churchill Downs, to help cover costs for breast cancer patients. You can learn more about Oaks and purchase tickets here.
Derby day starts early on May 4th, but the actual Derby race is not until 6:50 p.m. You will have a full day to place bets, sip bourbon, and see some of the most beautiful hats! You might even get lucky enough to see a few celebrities too. You can learn more about Derby and purchase tickets here.
Since Jazzro is located in Louisville, Derby is a big deal for us! If you have any questions or want to learn more, we can definitely help. We know bourbon and horse racing pretty well! We recommend attending as many events as possible to get the whole Derby experience. Remember, the party isn’t just for one day!
Message your Jazzro team to learn more about Derby.
Leave a Reply