The Kentucky Derby is America's Great Party.

It's the wild and wonderful infield scene that makes it this way. The actual event is an afterthought, simply the excuse, similar to Jimmy Buffett concerts or the Long Beach Grand Prix.

The craziness happens all over the infield but the primary partying action is the Third Turn Party. Elsewhere, people stake out spots for personal partying, wearing those big Kentucky Derby hats and having plenty of mint juleps by their side.

Seventy five to 100,000 thirty-somethings pack the middle of the track for a the first Saturday in May. It's a day not to be forgotten any time soon.

'Absolute chaos' is the way some would describe it. I have to call it the biggest drunken orgy I've ever been to in my life. Bar none, it's the best party I've ever attended. Almost anything goes.

If you are not hurting yourself or anyone else, you will not be bothered by the authorities. You are not allowed to bring alcohol in to the infield but nearly everyone finds a way to smuggle in their favorite beverage. If not, beer can be purchased for $6 a glass. The $40 admission price is worth every penny. The scenery is breathtaking. People bare it all.

The horse race? Oh yeah. The biggest horse race in the world happens right before your eyes. Watching the race from the infield is no easy task. There are big screen TV's located at each turn but it is not the easiest thing to see after 4 to 8 hours of drinking.

DRIVING

Access from Expressways to Churchill Downs

I-264 East (from I-64E - New Albany and St. Louis): Take Exit 9 - Taylor Blvd. Turn left traveling north on Taylor Blvd. For Gate 10, turn right on Longfield Ave. For Gate 17, turn right on Central Ave.

I-264 West (from I64W - Lexington): Take Exit 10- Third St./Southern Pkwy. Turn right heading north on Third St. or Southern Pkwy. to Central Ave. Turn left on Central Ave. For Gate 17, continue on Central Ave. For Gate 10, turn left at Fourth St. and bear right passing the barns.

I-65 North or from Airport (from Nashville): Take I-264 West (Watterson Expressway) to Exit 10 - Third St./Southern Pkwy. Turn right heading north on Third St. or Southern Pkwy. to Central Ave. Turn left on Central Ave. For Gate 17, continue on Central Ave. For Gate 10, turn left at Fourth St. and bear right passing the barns.

I-65 South (from Indianapolis/Downtown Louisville): Take Exit 132 - Crittenden Drive (exit will veer to the right). Continue straight on Crittenden, take first right at Central Ave. intersection. Continue straight on Central Ave. Track is approximately 1.6 miles from expressway.

FLIGHTS

Flights into Louisville tend to fill up rather quickly, especially from other racing hotbeds such as New York and Baltimore. Book your flight as soon as you know you're going.

Alternatively, fly into Louisville the morning of the race and fly out that night. There are plenty of cabs to and from the track, and as long as your flight is 8:15 or later in the evening, you have enough time if you leave the infield immediately after the race (mail in your winning tickets for payment). For flights after 9:00, you have enough time to hang around a bit.

Parking

Complimentary Parking
Patrons are welcome to park in the Longfield Parking Lot located at Parking Gate 10 off of Longfield Avenue. Parking is free and available on a first come, first served basis. The Longfield Parking Lot also features handicapped parking, subject to availability, and valet parking for $5 per car.

NOT VALID ON KENTUCKY OAKS AND KENTUCKY DERBY DAYS.

Reserved Parking
For guests with reserved parking credentials, please view the link below for a Directional Parking Map.

NOT VALID ON KENTUCKY OAKS AND KENTUCKY DERBY DAYS.

Security Measures

Churchill Downs implemented new security measures for the 2002 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. The new measures include a magnetic wand search of every person entering the facility. The rules have been relaxed to allow sunscreen in 2007.

The following items are permitted to be brought into Churchill Downs:

Food items in clear plastic bags or plastic containers (maximum size 18"x 18" - trash bags are not permitted) - Limit 2 per person
Cellular telephones, cameras, and camcorders (you will be required to turn electronic items on at the gate)
Small personal music systems (no "boom boxes")
Binoculars
Purses and baby bags, subject to search
Chairs (Gate 3 only)
Blankets and tarps (infield only, Gates 1 & 3)
Strollers only if carrying a child

The following items are banned from Churchill Downs on Derby and Oaks days:

Weapons of any kind, including all knives and scissors
Bottles and cans of any kind, including all beverage and lotion containers made of glass, plastic or metal (sunscreen is allowed)
Thermoses
Coolers
Grills
Backpacks, luggage and duffel bags
Wagons
Umbrellas

Because of the restrictions, a "general stores" will be set up on the infield selling items such as food, drinks, coolers, and other items. Surprisingly, the items for sale are sold at reasonable prices, comparable to outside stores.

The Derby, though, it more than a one-afternoon affair. Leading up the first Saturday of May ( 2010 event is May 1, and is the 136th Run for the Roses –are two days of pre-party events called the Crown Royal Festival in the Field. This year, this perfect warmup to Derby Day featured country music artists TelluRide and DJ Vice as the headliners.

Entry to the infield concert , which takes place on the Infield Club, is $15 and includes admission to the track. Music starts at 11 a.m.

On Friday, April 30, there is even entertainment surrounding the Kentucky Oaks. Gates open at 8 a.m., with bands taking the stage at 11 (tickets for this day are $25).
The bands play in the infield as part of a regular concert held since 1997. In addition to name acts, local bands play throughout the day and night.

Post time for the Derby on Saturday is 4:04 p.m. GA tickets for the Derby are $40.

Santa Fe Grill
(502) 634-3722
South Louisville
3000 S 3rd St
Louisville, KY 40208

Dairy Kastle
(502) 634-8990
St Joseph
575 Eastern Pkwy
Louisville, KY 40217

Granville Inn Bar & Grille
(502) 637-9128
Churchill Downs
1601 S 3rd St
Louisville, KY 40208

Little Jerusalem
(502) 618-1806
Shively
3825 Taylor Blvd
Louisville, KY 40215

China Inn
(502) 636-2020
University
1925 S 4th St
Louisville, KY 40208

Bazo's Fresh Mexican Grill
(502) 899-9746
University
1907-C South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40208

The Mint Julep Recipe ($8 at the Derby)

Naturally, bourbon is King in Kentucky. And only Kentucky bourbon can be used in an authentic mint julep served at the Kentucky Derby. Here is the recipe:
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Sprigs of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• Kentucky Whisky
Cheers!

Hotels in and around Louisville during Derby weekend sell out early. You can find a few up to a month or two before the race, but in general all hotels require a three night stay. Book early if you plan to stay at a hotel.

You will want to stay as close to town as possible; cab rates during the weekend are increased substantially, with the blessing of the taxicab commission. A rental car is probably the best way to go if someone can stay sober.

For the die-hard, an alternative to hotels is not to get one. Plenty of Derby fans arrive at the gate as early as 3AM the morning of the race to grab the best infield areas. You can show up with a blanket and sleep on the street; if it rains, there is a drive-in bank right next door that provides plenty of cover (trust us, its been used).

Holiday Inn LOUISVILLE AIRPORT - FAIR/EXPO
Recently Opened Hotel in 2008!
Located 1.1 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $117

Super 8 Louisville/Expo Center
Located 1.2 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $55

Country Inn and Suites By Carlson, Louisville Airport
Located 1.2 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $374

Ramada Limited and Suites Airport/Fair/Expo Center
Located 1.2 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $56

Quality Inn and Suites University/Airport
Located 1.6 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $210

Days Inn Louisville Central University and Expo Center
Recently Renovated Hotel in 2009!
Located 1.6 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $48

Rodeway Inn Louisville
Located 1.8 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $168

Comfort Inn and Suites Airport And Expo
Located 1.8 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $296

Residence Inn Louisville Airport
Recently Renovated Hotel in 2007!
Located 1.8 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $139

Howard Johnson Express Inn/Airport
Located 1.8 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $74

Hampton Inn LouisvilleArptFair/Expo Ctr
Recently Renovated Hotel in 2008!
Located 1.9 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $169

SpringHill Suites Louisville Airport
Recently Opened Hotel in 2007!
Located 1.9 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $134

Courtyard Louisville Airport
Located 1.9 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $199

Crowne Plaza Hotel LOUISVILLE-ARPT KY EXPO CTR .
Recently Opened Hotel in 2009!
Located 1.9 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $149

Sleep Inn and Suites Airport
Located 2.2 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $110

Holiday Inn LOUISVILLE-SW(FAIR and EXPO CTR)
Located 2.4 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $129

La Quinta Inn And Suites Louisville
Located 2.5 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $119

The Brown Hotel
Located 2.9 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $136

Comfort Inn Louisville
Located 3.1 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $400

Days Inn Suites Louisville Airport SW
Located 3.1 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $102

The Seelbach Hilton Louisville
Recently Renovated Hotel in 2009!
Located 3.2 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $179

Econo Lodge Downtown
Located 3.4 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $75

Hyatt Regency Louisville
Located 3.4 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $164

Louisville Marriott Downtown
Located 3.4 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $259

Fairfield Inn and Suites Louisville Downtown
Recently Opened Hotel in 2008!
Located 3.5 miles from Kentucky Derby-Churchill Downs
Starting Rate: $129