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

As for that Barnstable - Brown Party some of you suggested; That would be the one that cost close to $2000 grand each. Are you telling me its worth it!??????????????

I wouldn't personally get within 10 miles of that place on party night, Phil.

But let's do keep perspective here, as I tried to point out in Leah's discussion about the $125 Kroger buffet at Farmington: Louisville is in many ways a giving town, and virtually ALL of these high-ticket events are charity benefits. You have to decide whether you want to write the check, or donate in some other way, or not donate at all. But you can't make a cost-benefit analysis of the event without considering that at the end of the day, someone is going to carry a bag of money down to a worthy cause. It's part of the equation, and it's also part of Louisville at Derby time.

Having been a couple of times I will say it is an experience. You certainly will meet "famous" and "infamous" people. Again it's a benefit so to say it's "worth it" is difficult. I would add that I have no desire to ever go again. I suppose it's the most high profile party in town...is the Madden party still a big deal in Lexington?

People who gripe about Thunder are Thunder Duds. And they miss the chest-rattling grand finale. Of course, this is just fine with the Thunder Pros, who then have more room.

As for that Barnstable - Brown Party some of you suggested; That would be the one that cost close to $2000 grand each. Are you telling me its worth it!??????????????

I wouldn't personally get within 10 miles of that place on party night, Phil.

But let's do keep perspective here, as I tried to point out in Leah's discussion about the $125 Kroger buffet at Farmington: Louisville is in many ways a giving town, and virtually ALL of these high-ticket events are charity benefits. You have to decide whether you want to write the check, or donate in some other way, or not donate at all. But you can't make a cost-benefit analysis of the event without considering that at the end of the day, someone is going to carry a bag of money down to a worthy cause. It's part of the equation, and it's also part of Louisville at Derby time.

Having been a couple of times I will say it is an experience. You certainly will meet "famous" and "infamous" people. Again it's a benefit so to say it's "worth it" is difficult. I would add that I have no desire to ever go again. I suppose it's the most high profile party in town...is the Madden party still a big deal in Lexington?

Barnstable...Schmarnstable...We were invited too...and they were going to PAY us to come. The invitation said something about no visible tatoos, wearing comfortable shoes, able to lift 50 pounds and coming in through the kitchen entrance. Strangest invite I've ever seen. Had to turn 'em down as we're getting together with a boatload of our "B List" friends for the annual Cinco-Di-Mi-Oh-My-O bash....100# of boiled craw fish, a big vat of Gumbo, couple dozen racks of "Rolling Bones" ribs, half a dozen beer can chickens and lots of "fizzy water"....There will be Cornhole and Horseshoes in the backyard and NASCAR on the TV down in the bar. I think it's great that L'ville has the Derby and I love the attention it brings our city but (like a previous poster said) they really need to bank that track and make those horses go 50 laps with pit stops for oats and new horseshoes.

Ya'll have a time now...We'll save ya some BBQ.

As for that Barnstable - Brown Party some of you suggested; That would be the one that cost close to $2000 grand each. Are you telling me its worth it!??????????????

I wouldn't personally get within 10 miles of that place on party night, Phil.

But let's do keep perspective here, as I tried to point out in Leah's discussion about the $125 Kroger buffet at Farmington: Louisville is in many ways a giving town, and virtually ALL of these high-ticket events are charity benefits. You have to decide whether you want to write the check, or donate in some other way, or not donate at all. But you can't make a cost-benefit analysis of the event without considering that at the end of the day, someone is going to carry a bag of money down to a worthy cause. It's part of the equation, and it's also part of Louisville at Derby time.

Having been a couple of times I will say it is an experience. You certainly will meet "famous" and "infamous" people. Again it's a benefit so to say it's "worth it" is difficult. I would add that I have no desire to ever go again. I suppose it's the most high profile party in town...is the Madden party still a big deal in Lexington?

I believe the Madden party is no more.

The Barnstable Brown party mixes celebs with other attendees, while the Madden party was famous (infamous?) for having celebs in a separate tent, where attendees could barely even see them. Also, the Madden party regularly gave in the lower five figures to charity (from an event that brought in mid-six to lower seven figures), while the Barnstable Brown family subsidizes the event, so the vast majority (if not all) of the proceeds go to charity.

Don't forget, one can just "show up" at the Barnstable-Brown house, and wait with 1000 of your best new friends to see the celebs arrive, plus many of them will work the crowds, meeting and greeting enroute to the house.

We live on Speed Avenue (park side of Bardstown Rd) and every year we sit out on our steps to watch the spectacle that is the "Unstable Clown Party", across the street and a few houses towards Bardstown Road.

The bigwig limos all take Speed to get back to Bardstown Rd when they leave the B-B party.The Unstable Clown attendees dress in clown-face makeup and run up to the limos as they stop at the traffic light at the Speed/B'Town intersection, and try to get autographs. Sometimes they actually do!

Phil,

We will be hosting an after hours party at Varanese Saturday Night beginning at 11ish and there is no cover. We're having all the folks from NBC sports production team here and will have Live Music featuring Lamont Gillispe and 100 proof. We are putting together a late night menu for the event and will also offer some great Derby Drink Specials.

All are invited to attend

I'm a newcomer here (7 years). My first Derby party was at an employee of mine's house in Tucson Arizona. Matt Zoeller (anyone know him? Yeah, one of those golfer relatives).

Here in town, we pretty much avoid derby stuff. The influx of tourists are good for sales, but I don't join in on the mania. Being from Chicago, I've had my share of crowds (taste of Chicago, Blues fest, etc).

I know I'm not alone. A lot of locals leave town for derby.

But enjoy. To each his own.....

Cheers!!! I'll be in Berlin for Thunder

How funny that you should mention MY BROTHER in the same post with wanting to get out of town for Derby, because I plan to drive up to Indy on Derby weekend to spend it with Matt and Janice.

Some years I love to be in town for Derby, but this year I'm laying low.

Tell Matt and Janice I said "hey". Last time I saw them was Thunder several years ago.

Oh David, it is so nice to see your posts on the forum again.