Fabulous fashions, delicious cocktails, a week of partying – sounds a little like Mardi Gras, doesn’t it? But this celebration is the Kentucky Derby, the oldest, continuously running sports event in the United States. 

Since its first run in 1875, the event has been held the first weekend in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, despite wars and the Great Depression. 

And while the actual race lasts just moments, aptly nicknamed the most exciting two minutes in sports, the festivities surrounding this storied race go on for an entire week.

Want to take part in the fun without flying to Kentucky? On Saturday, May 3rd, COASTAL Orange Beach will be hosting a southern beach style Kentucky Derby Party with Mint Juleps and even a hat contest. To attend simple show up at that afternoon or RSVP here.

Want to attend in Kentucky? 

If you plan ahead, you can find standing room only tickets for $200 a piece. To be in that beautiful, deep curve at the end of the track and watch the horses thunder by at a typical speed of 37 mph, you’re going to shell out closer to $1,000 each. Want to sit in the homestretch club and have one of the best views of the winner crossing the finish line? You’ll need a minimum of $2,000 per seat. 

Next, it’s not just a single race. While the race may be the pinnacle event, there is an entire week of fun to be had. 

Opening night kicks off the festivities the Saturday before race weekend. This year Churchill Downs will welcome revelers in their 1920s themed finest for a Great Gatsby-inspired party. The next two days, visitors can purchase tickets to watch the horses and their jockeys practice on the track. On Tuesday, 502 day celebrates the Louisville community with an art show, fashion contest and events honoring Louisville native Muhammad Ali. 

On Wednesday, Winsday events will honor the city’s nonprofit community and on Thursday the focus is turned to honoring the state’s historic heritage and music. On Friday, 3-year-old fillies will take the track for the 151st running of the Kentucky Oaks. The horses are competing for a $1.5 million purse. 

And Saturday, it’s finally here, the Kentucky Derby. Twenty horses will take their positions and run 1¼ miles around the track. The fastest horse in history was Secretariat in 1973, who crossed the line at 1:59.40 minutes. The slowest was Kingman in 1891 at 2:52.25 minutes.

The horses are not the only ones who win that day. 

In 2024, the winning horse, Mystik Dan, went home with $3.1 million. You can win on derby day too with as little as $2. 

Derby attendees who bet $2 on Mystik Dan to win, had a payout of $39.22. In 2022, one lucky winner walked away with $74,000 on a $5 trifecta bet, meaning the purchaser correctly picked the top three horses to win, in place order – a tough wager that pays exponentially more if correct. 

Not interested in horses? Don’t have a lot of money to bet? Go to the Kentucky Derby for the atmosphere. 

For many revelers, it’s hats before horses. Glance at the crowds in pictures and what you’ll find is a sea of hats – tall, small, sculpted and flaunty. 

The ostentatious headwear harkens from the early 20th century when the race was a staple of the calendar of the elite.

Now, the derby is open to anyone with a ticket and there is one rule – dress to impress. The derby partners with a guest style editor each year to produce a slick fashion magazine of all the latest fashions that may be found among the stands. 

Find this year’s edition here: What To Wear: Kentucky Derby fashion and outfits for women & men | KentuckyDerby.com 

Want to party like a local? Don’t wear green, it’s long been considered to bring bad luck at the derby. Also, don’t carry around a $50, another conveyor of bad juju that day.

Stuck at home on Derby Day? You can still party like you are trackside. 

The Kentucky Derby has an entire page dedicated to hosting the perfect party at home. 

Food? Honey butter chicken biscuit, perfectly baked mac and cheese and Old Forester butter shrimp and orzo. 

Find those recipes and so many more here: Kentucky Derby Recipes 

Drinks? The Mint Julep, specifically made with Old Forester Mint Julep Bourbon, a bourbon specifically crafted for the Derby, is the official drink of the day. 

Goldbelly online sells a Mint Julep kit blessed by the good people of the Derby as the official at home drink. $150 nets you the cocktail kit, complete with two commemorative Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Glasses. For $50 more you receive 32 pieces of Woodford Reserve Bourbon Balls. Yes, please!

Can’t make it to Kentucky? Luckily, the party has spilled over locally! Check out the celebrations and viewing parties here in Baldwin County: 

CoastAL Orange Beach will host a viewing party and hat contest on May 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. Contests are: Exacta (Best Derby Hat - Male) to win a full-day pontoon boat rental from Flora-Bama Marina; Superfecta (Best Duo Outfit) for a $300 COASTAL Orange Beach Gift Card and Trifecta (Best Derby Hat - Female) for a $300 Gift Card from The Orange Beach Store. No reservations needed, located at 25722 Perdido Beach Blvd. 

Derby Day at the Beach: Kentucky Derby Viewing Party & Hat Contest 

Treasurers of the Isle Mardi Gras Krewe will host a Run for the Roses, dinner, derby and dance party on May 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Orange Beach Event Center located at The Wharf. Tickets are $35 per person and attire is dress to impress or arrive casual. Must be 21 and up. There will be a hat contest! 

 Calendar • 18th Annual Treasures of the Isle Derby Days

The Swift Cole Historic Home will host a Kentucky Derby Garden party on May 3 with traditional food and Mint Juleps. 

 Swift-Coles Historic Home 

Remember: “No horse can go as fast as the money you bet on him.” - Nate Collier