LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The 150th Run for the Roses is this Saturday, and Kroger workers and volunteers spend hours days before the big race crafting the world's most prestigious floral arrangement, the Garland of Roses.
The garland will be draped across the winner of this year's winner of Kentucky Derby 150.
Workers spent Wednesday morning crafting the garland at a secret location that is kept at 40 degrees.
The roses and special greenery that make up the Garland of Roses are hand-stitched to the garland -- a practice that's been in place since 1987.Â
The garland, consisting of more than 400 red roses, is sewn onto a green satin backing with the seal of the Commonwealth on one side and the Twin Spires and number of the race's current renewal on the other.
Each garland is also adorned with a "crown" of roses, green fern and ribbon. The "crown," a single rose pointing upward in the center of the garland, symbolizes the struggle and heart necessary to reach the Winner's Circle of the Kentucky Derby.
It takes about 465 roses to complete the garland. Sue Haskins, a longtime Kroger employee, is proud to be a part of the process.Â
"I've worked for Kroger for 40 years and managed stores during that time," she said. "My last stop was in Middletown. That's where I really got involved in this. And they let me come back every year and help."
The public is invited to the Kroger in Middletown to watch the final preparations of the garland between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, May 3. It will also be streamed online on Kroger's YouTube channel.
People who show up in person have an opportunity to receive a special present: small bags of rose petals that were collected from the roses that didn't make it to the garland.Â
Haskins said about 10 people work 50 hours a week to craft the garland. She said "it's very much a labor of love."Â
The Kroger Company has been crafting the garland for the Kentucky Derby since 1987 in one of its local stores for the public to view on Derby Eve.
More Kentucky Derby 150 Coverage:Â
- 150 years of the Kentucky Derby brought a ton of changes to Churchill Downs
- Kentucky Derby 150 guide to everything you need to know for Oaks and Derby Days
- Louisville residents feel Kentucky Derby tickets far out of reach as infield price hits $130
- Churchill Downs reveals $200 million paddock expansion project ahead of Kentucky Derby 150
- Country artists to perform National Anthem at 2024 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks
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