Maggie: it's Derby Day!

Time to take down the Easter egg tree and start putting up Kentucky Derby decorations.

Source:  www.kentuckyderby.com

Kentucky Derby fashion

The Kentucky Derby is unlike any other sporting event! With a crowd of more than 150,000 people, unparalleled history and tradition and its unique spectacle, the Kentucky Derby has been described by Forbes as one of the "Greatest Bucket-list Sporting Events" in America. Every year, on the first Saturday in May, thousands of guests gather under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs to create lifelong memories with their friends and family.

In many ways, the Kentucky Derby is the world’s largest and most entertaining fashion show, with spectacular hats and outfits!

The size and energy of the crowd at the Kentucky Derby is a huge part of the event’s appeal. With on track attendance of over 150,000 people, the Kentucky Derby is significantly larger than comparable US sports events such as the Super Bowl, the World Series, or the NCAA Final Four. However, this also means that even seemingly simple tasks, such as finding friends on the other side of the track or making a trek to the Paddock, can take some time.

One of the unique characteristics of the Kentucky Derby, and its sister event, the Kentucky Oaks, is that they are sports parties that showcase the finest in spring fashions. Both female and male attendees pull out all of the stops when selecting their Kentucky Derby and Oaks apparel.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to Derby dressing, in part because what you wear has much to do with where you plan to spend the day. In the reserved seating areas (grandstand, clubhouse, suites and corporate hospitality areas), ladies typically wear spring dresses, pastel-colored suits, or bold separates that coordinate with their Derby headwear and accessories. The Kentucky Derby is a chance for every female to express her inner Southern Belle.

Since the hat is the focus of Derby fashion, there's not much need for large, statement jewelry. The hat should be the attention grabber and jewelry should be kept simple, unless it is Kentucky Derby themed jewelry.

Wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is believed to bear good luck! The long-established fashion was started by the women, however, over the last few years, many men have taken part in the tradition as well.

Within the seated sections of Churchill Downs, one will find hats of elegance and style. Generally speaking, women wear wide-brimmed, “Southern Belle” inspired Kentucky Derby hats. The hats can be decorated with flowers, feathers, bows and ribbons of any color to express creativity and individuality. In the Churchill Downs Infield, hats are a bit more eccentric!

A more recent trend in Kentucky Derby headwear is the fascinator. Smaller than a traditional hat and just as stylish, this piece of headwear has become more popular among Kentucky Derby attendees over recent years. Recently popularized by Kate Middleton, these chic, headpieces are made from a woven disc topped with feathers and netting and secured to your head via a comb or headband. They can be simpler to wear than a hat, and won't give you hat hair!

      

In the world of sports, there is not a more moving moment than when the horses step onto the track for the Kentucky Derby post parade and the band strikes up "My Old Kentucky Home" and 160,000+ people sing along.

Although there is no definitive history on the playing of the Stephen Foster ballad as a Derby Day tradition, it is believed to have originated in 1921 for the 47th running. The Louisville Courier-Journal in its May 8, 1921, edition reported: "To the strains of 'My Old Kentucky Home,' Kentuckians gave vent their delight. For Kentucky triumphed in the Derby." The story refers to the popular victory of the Kentucky-owned and bred Behave Yourself.

The actual year the song was played as the horses were led onto the track to begin the Derby post parade is also unclear. A 1929 news account written by the legendary Damon Runyon reported that the song was played periodically throughout Derby Day. A report by the former Philadelphia Public Ledger provides evidence that 1930 may have been the first year the song was played as the horses were led to the post parade: "When the horses began to leave the paddock and the song 'My Old Kentucky Home' was coming from the radio, the cheering started."  Since 1936, with only a few exceptions, the song has been performed by the University of Louisville Marching Band as the horses make their way from the paddock to the starting gate.

As for Stephen Foster, the composer of the song, he died a pauper in New York’s Bellevue Hospital after suffering a fatal cut while living in a hotel in the city’s Bowery district.  He died January 13, 1864, at the age of 37.

“My Old Kentucky Home,” by Stephen Foster

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn-top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom
While the birds make music all the day. The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy and bright;
By'n by hard times comes a knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home, Good-night! Weep no more my lady. Oh! Weep no more today!
We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home, far away.