cross post: Kentucky Derby general admission

[xcatheart]

Hi! I would love to surprise my BFF w Derby tickets for her bday so we can have a girls’ trip. All I can afford are GA tickets. Who out here as gone to the Derby w GA tickets and can you offer me any tips?

Is it anything like a Kenny Chesney concert when you have Sandbar tickets (floor space) so first one at door has the best chance of grabbing the best space by the stage?

Is there any way to “save your spot” once you get into the infield?

Any other tips???

TIA!

[subk]

I’ve been to the infield for Derby. It’s been awhile, but basically it is a big party with a horse racing theme that every hour or so there is a rukus that sounds like maybe a horse race is nearby. It is people watching at its finest, but don’t expect to see any horses. You might get to see some horses on the jombo-trons but that’s about it.

Take your picnic basket and blanket (you will be searched going in so any alcohol will be confiscated.) Different areas of the infield will have different levels of partying intensity–there is usally an area that is a bit more family friendly though. Generally you can claim your area with a blanket and that will hold it for you–but I wouldn’t leave anything of value unattended.

Hoestly, there isn’t much to be seen from the infield so your best bet–if you care about the races–is to find a good spot in front of the jumbo-trons that’s not too near crazy party people. The crazy party people tend to get pretty disgusting by about the seventh or eigth race. Plan for long potty lines. The weather can be anything. My husband a native Louisvillian has been snow on at Derby and has gotten one of the worst sunburns of his life.

I went to the infield a couple of times years ago (when I was single with some girl pals) and it’s one of those things you ought to do once if you get the chance–but I have no desire to do it again.

If you actually want to see and expereince horse racing go a different weekend.

[Bella]

I took visiting family to the infield a couple of years back and we chanced upon a great spot. Once you get out there, head to the far end of the infield, past the finish line (if you’re looking towards the grandstand, it’s to the left of the finish). You’ll find yourself in an area filled with people on blankets etc, it’s more family type crowd, you can actually see the race come down to the wire somewhat and there was a huge jumbotron right there so we could watch the rest of the race. Honestly, there’s no day that compares to Derby day, you have to experience it. Just come prepared for whatever the weather is forecast and the enormous crowds.