5 Must Bring Items to the Kentucky Derby
The biggest day of the year for equestrians all over the world is fast upon us. If you are lucky enough to have tickets to the 2015 Kentucky Derby, you are in for the experience of a lifetime. However, before you pack your bags and head off to the big race, make sure that you have everything you need to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. When packing for the derby, you need to add a few items to your checklist. Your Kentucky Derby Checklist should include a few special items that will heighten your enjoyment and your comfort during the race.
Sunscreen
Don’t forget that the Kentucky Derby is an outdoor event. While you are sitting in the stands, the bright spring sun will hopefully be shining. You need to make sure that you add items onto your checklist that will keep you protected from harmful UV rays. Sunscreen is an absolute must, especially for children. The best thing to do is to pack plenty of travel sized sunscreen that you can bring with you to the race. This way, you will be able to touch up on areas as the day progresses and keep your skin safe from harmful and painful sunburns.
Hat
Another checklist item that will keep you safe from the sun is a hat. Not only will covering your head help keep the sun off of your face and out of your eyes, it is also a Kentucky Derby tradition to wear a fun and fashionable hat that will make a real statement. The wearing of hats at the derby is considered to be good luck. In America, the chance to wear a hat as a fashion statement does not come around very often. Take advantage of the opportunity by shopping around for the perfect hat before you set off on your trip. Wearing fabulous hats to the Kentucky Derby is not only a tradition for women. You will also see men of varying ages breaking out headwear.
Attire
Your Kentucky Derby fashion statement does not end with the hat on your head. The derby is far from a casual event. Your Kentucky Derby checklist must absolutely include the right kind of clothing. Many areas even have a strict dress code. Stay away from jeans, athletic shoes, flip-flops and don’t even think about wearing sweats. Instead, pack your best slacks, shoes, sundresses, and blouses.
Raincoat/Poncho
Hopefully, the weather at this year’s Kentucky Derby will be bright and sunny. However, it would be unwise of you not to consider the chance of inclement weather. Umbrellas are actually no allowed in many areas, so if you want to keep yourself dry in the event of a rainstorm, bring a poncho or a rain jacket. You may also want to pack towels to dry off your seats in case it rains before you arrive.
Cooler
The last thing you want to do when you are planning to enjoy the races is to spend half of your day waiting in long lines at concession stands and paying unreasonable prices for food and beverages. To get around this, you can bring in a cooler full of beverages and food to be kept by your seats during the races. Keep in mind, however, that any coolers or bags that you bring will be subject to searches for security purposes. You are also not permitted to bring in alcoholic beverages.
Now that you have a start on your Kentucky Derby Checklist, you can start planning and packing for your trip. However, there are still plenty of other items that you may want to include such as binoculars, fans, cash, seat cushions and more. With your checklist complete and your hat on your head, you will be ready to enjoy an excellent day at the derby.
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