From mint juleps to Band-Aids | A look at what's included during Derby at Churchill Downs | Local News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky Derby draws crowds from across the world to Louisville each year. This May, hitting 150 years makes this Run for the Roses a little extra exciting.

"You only go through it once," Churchill Downs spokesperson Darren Rogers said. "I mean, you just do. And there's something magical about those big milestones."

The numbers change from 2023 to 2024 on the signage at Churchill Downs ahead of Derby 150 — Crews change the sign at Churchill Downs from "2023" to "2024." (WDRB image from March 19, 2024)

But those big milestones don't come without some big planning. That's especially true with more than 100,000 guests.

"It's a little bit like throwing a wedding" Rogers said. "You have a bunch of boxes to check, except it's a wedding for 150,000 people on Derby."

So what's this event really look like when you start crunching some of the numbers?

According to Churchill Downs, around 127,000 mint juleps will be served between Oaks and Derby weekend. That's not mention the popular lilies.

The Kentucky Derby Museum said it expects around 10,000 people to stop in to visit the museum between the Saturday before Derby and the Sunday after.

It said the Oaks Garland of Lilies takes around 145 flowers to come to life and weighs about 20 pounds. Double that weight for the Garland of Roses on Derby Day, filled with about 400 roses.

This year's Derby trophy has some added weight to celebrate year 150. It's still made of 14 karat gold but also holds added rubies, emeralds and diamonds.

Norton Healthcare is also on site at Churchill Downs during Derby week with thousands of Band-Aids, ibuprofen, Benadryl, screen, Chapstick, and more, including a handful of doctors.

While there are many numbers that go into the planning of a busy weekend at Churchill Downs, many are focused on a winning bet, hoping their favorite horse leaves with the prize.

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