Traveling to the Derby
Travel Tip 4/24/09
Weekly Tip
The Jazz Factory Enjoy the evening by having drinks and listening to great jazz at Louisville’s premier destination for live jazz. Open Tuesday-Saturday. Price varies.
Run for the Rose
- Location: Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront Event Date: 04/28/2009 Time: 11:30 AM Admission: Free with 2009 Pegasus Pin
- Registration Fee: $85/per entrant for restaurants ($75 for KRA members). Corporate Challenge is $140 per team (4 entrants per team).
- Sponsored By: Kentucky Proud Contributing Sponsors: Barefoot Cellars, Delta Air Lines, KRA - Louisville Chapter, metromix.com
The Derby Festival Run for the Rose' heads back to Kroger's Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront in 2009 and will be held on the Great Lawn. The event will send contestants running around an obstacle course in an effort to win bragging rights and great prizes. It's lots of spills and thrills for participants and spectators alike.
As the Festival's most spirited event, the Rose' brings a wacky twist to this race among employees from area restaurants. Local servers compete for prizes and pride as they race around a challenging obstacle course balancing six full glasses of wine. You can cheer on your favorite restaurant and enjoy lunch at the Waterfront.
A total of 261 competitors took part in the 2008 Run for the Rose', including more than 100 entrants from area restaurants and bars; and a corporate relay division with 39 competing businesses, groups and media outlets. The corporate division will return for the 2009 event.
Tip provided by Todd Gehrke of Dream Outdoors http://www.dreamoutdoors.com. E-mail tgehrke@dreamoutdoors.com.
To assist you in finding the best deals, check out the Derby Deals listed on our site where we regularly post information on specials for traveling to the Derby.
Tickets
Depending on the tickets you’re holding, the Derby experience can vary widely. If you’re fortunate enough to be seated in a luxury box, expect a few celebrity sightings, an elegant ambiance, formal dress code, great views of the track, and no lines for the restrooms. At the other end of the spectrum, watching the Derby from the infield is an experience in and of itself. Expect an unforgettable day of partying with a casually dressed or partially undressed crowd (pray for sun). The infield is packed with flowing beer taps, bountiful bourbon trucks, and a lot of good barbecue. You’ll wait in long lines to use the portable bathrooms and will probably see the races only via the big screen.
If you don’t plan in advance, tickets can be hard to get. At the time of this publication, tickets in the first floor grandstand were available for $315. Of course, the price goes up from there depending on the seats. DerbyBox is one provider for tickets and packages. According to their website, they offer free FedEx shipping and do not add service charges.
Hotels and Other Accommodations
Finding a hotel room during the Kentucky Derby can be a challenge, especially for those planning late or working with a limited budget. While the first stop may be to check the usual travel sites, if these are not providing enough options, consider other possibilities such as B & Bs or vacation rentals. The Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau provides a search tool to explore a variety of accommodations and locations.
http://www.gotolouisville.com/accommodations-search.aspx If you are traveling with a group, vacation rentals might be an option. The site RentMyHouseforDerby http://www.rentmyhouse4derby.com/index.php specializes in providing luxury vacation rental homes for events like the Kentucky Derby.
Festivities and Attractions
While the Derby may only be two-minutes long, the Derby festivities begin as early as April 2nd and extend all the way up to Derby Day. Between 4/23 -5/2 the Kentucky Derby Festival has 32 events scheduled. Learn more about the events at the Kentucky Derby Festival site.
http://www.kdf.org/search.cgi?category=events
Nightlife
If you are looking for nightlife in downtown Louisville, the place to be is Fourth Street. This is the heart of the pre-Derby scene with open air bars and clubs featuring live bands nightly. Once you pay the cover charge and get fitted with a stylish plastic bracelet, you’re free to roam the closed-off street with rest of the crowd in search of the hottest party spot. If you’re looking for non-liquid calories, Fourth Street also offers a wide array of restaurants to fit every budget and food preference.
Bourbon
Bourbon enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates an elegant bar with old world ambiance, must pay a visit to the Old Seelbach Bar just a couple of blocks away from Fourth Street. Purists insist that quality bourbon should never be consumed over ice or with mix. Why ruin the master crafted flavor and aroma of a perfect glass of Maker’s Mark or Woodford Reserve? However, if you’re new to the pleasures of bourbon, you may want to ask for ice, a splash of water or a lemon twist, just to help it go down. The Seelbach bar offers countless bourbons to choose from so you’ll have plenty of chances to find the one that suits your palate best. You may also spot some of racing’s most well-known trainers and owners, as well as the occasional celebrity.
The Highlands – Bardstown Road/Baxter Ave
A great alternative to Fourth Street, which is just as much fun but offers a lot more charm, is the area along Bardstown Road/Baxter Ave. You’ll find great restaurants and a collection of authentic Irish pubs and neighborhood bars. During Derby week, many of the hot spots set up outdoor party tents and bring in live bands to accommodate increased demand.
|
|
 |
|
Kentucky Derby 2009
Derby information you don't want to miss!
Derby Section
Below are a few of our Derby pages.
SA Reports
A few recent Race of the Day reports are shown below. Click the date to see the report.
GG Reports
A few recent Race of the Day reports are shown below. Click the date to see the report.
|
