I am dying for Spring to officially arrive. It’s a week into February, and little foals are already hitting the ground. The start to the best time of the year, for us horse people! And for every horse person in Kentucky, the countdown to Derby is on. Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted an early Spring, but us Kentuckians have to get through two more winters before we get our week or two of Spring. That includes an almost guaranteed downpour the day of Derby. Fear not, visitors, we have plenty of ponchos! Photographic evidence below, modeled my yours truly and my gorgeous mama.
Edit- since I started writing this post it has attempted to snow on us twice, but the birds are still chirping???
This month is the shortest month, even when we’re in a leap year, which means March is right around the corner. Soon to follow is April, meaning Keeneland will open for their spring meet. Then, there will be Thunder over Louisville. North America’s largest firework show happens over the Ohio River, signaling the 2-week countdown to Derby. That’s right. America’s largest display of fireworks isn’t on Independence Day in Texas, it’s not on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it is in the state of Kentucky kicking off the largest party for the most exciting 2 minutes in sports. Then, before you know it, it’s May, and the first Saturday of May is arguably Louisville’s favorite day of the year! Or least favorite, depending on if you’re a horse racing fan or just someone trying to get to work.
Fashion trends are being watched just as closely as the prep races. For those of you not from Kentucky, this is Kentucky’s lovechild of the Super Bowl married to NYC fashion week. I’m sure Anna Wintour has been a time or two. To the ladies, start getting your hats and or fascinators ready now! And don’t forget to schedule all your appointments for now, while your stylist still has openings, your nail technician can get those tips polished, and you can squeeze in some time to tweeze and tint those brows. Around Derby time everyone seems to be running around town as fast as the horses. Everything horse racing related in terms of and party decorations will probably sell out, so keep your party ideas flowing and don’t wait until the last minute to shop and count on Amazon to bail you out.
For me personally, this may be the first year since I’ve lived in Louisville that I don’t have to bartend all of Derby week, and I’m SO excited! Not nearly as excited as I was almost two years ago (time FLIES!!!) when my family was coming into town for the event. I would love to do Derby like a local and a tourist combined. Horses are my reason for waking up in the morning, and I love admiring fashion, flipping through issues of InStyle and Vogue, so Derby is like my Christmas! Derby is definitely Louisville’s time to shine, and the state of Kentucky is buzzing with excitement.
Keep following for more Derby trends and updates, things to do in and around Louisville, do’s and don’ts for stud farm tours, and where to go to bourbon and brunch your way through town.
Ciao.