Still Confused Over The Derby..............

I honestly believe everyone should see and experience Thunder once. I have lived here for 10 years and didn't understand the hype until I saw it for the first time.

And the best way to get around is to ride a bicycle.

So by this logic all the attention and tourist business we could bring in with tours of crime scenes, having a serial killer on the loose here would be fantastic as well.

Yes, this is exactly what I was saying. [BAER]

Of course, having a serial killer on the loose would be a much better alternative to Thunder, because it wouldn't rob you of 20 precious minutes on one day of the year.

That is a precious 20 minutes OF MY LIFE. And it's not just that, like I said it throttles local and non local traffic alike by shutting down 65 and 64 completely. It is one of the things I will miss least about this city when I move out of it.

To most Hoosiers, "The Race in May" = Indy 500, not a one lap horse show. Now if there were a way to install banking on the track, make it 50 laps (the horses could pit for oats and new horsehoes) and have spotters then it might be worthwhile.

The closure of the 2nd street bridge leading up to Thunder is a crock, there has to be a way for them to get those fireworks setup from Friday evening up through the Sat. afternoon and not cripple the junction like it does.

A few years ago we were in London over Derby weekend and really struggled to find any news about the race...one would think as popular as horse racing is in England there would have been a larger amount of coverage...we didn't pick up anything about it until the next day on CNN International (small story, at that)....

[Robin Garr]

A few years ago we were in London over Derby weekend and really struggled to find any news about the race...one would think as popular as hose racing is in England there would have been a larger amount of coverage...we didn't pick up anything about it until the next day on CNN International (small story, at that)....

I've been in France (Avignon) and Italy (Verona) on past Derbies and had to wait for the International Herald-Tribune on Monday to find out who won. I guess CNN would be an option, but something about watching CNN in Europe just seems so wrong in so many ways ...

The closure of the 2nd street bridge leading up to Thunder is a crock, there has to be a way for them to get those fireworks setup from Friday evening up through the Sat. afternoon and not cripple the junction like it does.

No, it cant be done in that amount of time. There were guys out there today doing what they could. The other reason its gets shut down is for the TV crews to run cables to the other side. The national guard also sets up on the bridge in advance. One other thing that you may not realize, there are large colored tarps that get set up on the bridge deck that serve as markers for the pilots doing their test flights. So, as you can see there are many reasons the bridge gets shut down when it does.

Another reasonably priced option is the "Derby Breakfast" at Farmington. Proceeds go to the Historic Homes Foundation. http://www.historichomes.org/specialeve ... kfast.html

$125 per person
9:30am - Noon
Sat, May 2nd (Derby Day)

Now, I do love Farmington. I used to be a docent there years and years ago. But $125 for a breakfast? Catered by Kroger? My priorities must be way off.

So by this logic all the attention and tourist business we could bring in with tours of crime scenes, having a serial killer on the loose here would be fantastic as well.
Money and noteriety for the city is good, but they cant be at the expense of the citizens of the city.

Im guessing you never made the debate team.

Hey Phil! I would definitly recommend Taste of Derby.. im not sure about the date but it shouldnt be too hard to find (short on time right now or I'd do the research myself). Its a great event at Slugger Field where restaurants and vendors from all over town set up booths and offer samples.. there is always plenty of food and drink and good times to go around. Ill be working it again this year and seeing how you are such a fan of Seviche it is only appropriate that you attend and stop by our booth .
Other favs-
Thunder: pain in the neck to some? Yes. Priceless to me. And the good news is you can usually see the fireworks from cresent hill and the highlands if you have a high-enough perch. It really is a great time and an excellent way to kick off the Derby Festival.

The Chow wagon (1 word? 2 words??) Its a carnival-type setup on the great lawn that stays there for the duration of the festival. This is where i get my corndog and elephant ear fix to hold me over until State-Fair time. There are usually free concerts and other events held there as well.

Come to think of it, I love ALL Derby Festival events...

Another reasonably priced option is the "Derby Breakfast" at Farmington. Proceeds go to the Historic Homes Foundation. http://www.historichomes.org/specialeve ... kfast.html

$125 per person
9:30am - Noon
Sat, May 2nd (Derby Day)

Now, I do love Farmington. I used to be a docent there years and years ago. But $125 for a breakfast? Catered by Kroger? My priorities must be way off.

The point of this - along with most of the other "specials" - is that the money goes to the charity (if I remember, Kroger donates the majority of the breakfast). You can't equate it to a $125 breakfast.

[Robin Garr]

Now, I do love Farmington. I used to be a docent there years and years ago. But $125 for a breakfast? Catered by Kroger? My priorities must be way off.

I think you may be missing something, Leah:

"Proceeds go to the Historic Homes Foundation."

It's not about giving you great cheap eats. It's about tapping your love, and that of your neighbors, to help out a local institution by raising funds. It's more fun than slipping a donation check into an envelope, but it's still not about tickling your taste buds, it's about raising money.

Another reasonably priced option is the "Derby Breakfast" at Farmington. Proceeds go to the Historic Homes Foundation. http://www.historichomes.org/specialeve ... kfast.html

$125 per person
9:30am - Noon
Sat, May 2nd (Derby Day)

Now, I do love Farmington. I used to be a docent there years and years ago. But $125 for a breakfast? Catered by Kroger? My priorities must be way off.

That's what I was thinking. Even though the proceeds go to a foundation it sounds awful expenses for what, $15 worth of food?

There’s really no “getting” the Derby Festival and nothing to be confused about. It’s a two-week festival where the community celebrates the upcoming derby day. It’s like any other nationally-recognized event. (eg – Mardi Gras) Either you enjoy it or you don’t.

Actually, there are more than 2 options. I don't enjoy Thunder. I do enjoy Derby. I don't enjoy the boat race or the parade. I would enjoy the parade if I had kids. I do enjoy Dawn at the Downs. I do enjoy the balloon race and the mini.

I know this because I've been to all these events. Many multiple, multiple times. What would I do if I were new to Louisville? I'd, if I had the time and energy, go to all the different events and see which ones I like and which ones I don't. Even Thunder. You may well like it.

Smack me all you want. For $125 my taste buds *must* be tickled.