Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – 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, the Great Depression or the spread of Covid-19. 

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.

First, want to attend? 

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.