So, I decided to check out the Kentucky Derby, which everyone’s always going on about. Never been before, so I thought, why not? First thing I did was check the weather. I mean, it’s Kentucky in May, so you’d think it would be mild, right? Turns out, historically speaking, it’s usually in the 70s, which is pretty decent. But get this – back in ’59, it hit the 90s! And in 1940, it was only in the mid-30s. Crazy, huh?
I did a bit more digging and found out that the Derby is a “rain or shine” kind of deal. Good to know, especially since most of the seats are outdoors and totally uncovered. So, I started thinking about what to pack. I read somewhere that they’re expecting over 150,000 people this year. That’s a massive crowd, even compared to other big sporting events. Made a mental note to be prepared for some serious crowds.
Then there’s this whole thing about what you can and can’t bring. Apparently, you can bring your own food, but it has to be in clear plastic bags. No coolers allowed, or cans, or glass bottles. I’m not much of a picnic person, but it’s good to have options, I guess. Cameras are okay, as long as the lenses aren’t too big. I’ve got a small camera, so that worked out.
The Day Of
On the actual day, I woke up and checked the forecast one last time. They were saying low 70s, with a slight chance of rain in the morning. I decided to wear layers, just in case. I grabbed my small camera, packed some snacks in a clear plastic bag, and headed out. I even used an umbrella because it rained a bit.
Getting there was a bit of a hassle, but I expected that with such a huge crowd. Security was tight, which is understandable. I saw them checking bags and making sure everyone followed the rules. There was an old man, who was told that his camera was not suitable. Finally, I got to my seat, it was a bit damp from the morning drizzle, but nothing too bad.
The Race
The atmosphere was electric. Everyone was excited, dressed up, and just having a good time. I even saw a horse which was trained by a famous trainer named Kenny McPeek. Then, the race started, and the whole place went wild. It was over pretty quickly, but it was definitely an experience.
After the race, I stuck around for a bit, soaking up the atmosphere. People-watching was pretty entertaining. Eventually, I started to head out, along with thousands of others. It took a while to get out of there, but I was in no rush.
Overall, it was a pretty cool day. The weather held up, the crowd was lively, and the race was exciting. Would I go again? Maybe. It’s definitely something worth experiencing at least once. I’m glad I prepared for it.
- Wear layers. The weather can be unpredictable.
- Check the rules. Know what you can and can’t bring.
- Be prepared for crowds. It’s going to be packed.
- Enjoy the atmosphere. It’s a unique event.
