By Kara Augustine
Women wearing brightly colored floral dresses and wide-brimmed hats looked elegant and beautiful as they were dressed to impress for this once-a-year occasion—the Kentucky Derby. In a passing glance, I was able to see these unique hats and dresses as I rushed around Churchill Downs in a white-collared tuxedo shirt and a bow tie, all while sweating profusely.
Last year I worked as a server for the Derby. I was assigned to work one of the two-storey tents the days of Derby, Oaks, and the Thursday prior. I can honestly say that running back and forth, keeping the food stocked and the trash cleared off the tables, was the hardest work I have ever done. At the end of Derby, my feet were hurting so bad from constantly being on them for three days straight. As melodramatic as it sounds, I really thought I wasn’t going to be able to walk again.
I am from Indianapolis, Ind., where the Derby isn’t such a gigantic excuse to celebrate, as it is here in Louisville. Since my family is from Louisville, I have grown up watching the Derby. But I was never completely enthralled by the event. So I decided to take a step in the opposite direction of attending the Derby. I decided that I wanted to work the event.
Since the spring semester at the University of Louisville ends before Derby, campus residents are forced to move out of dorms before the event. I had to stay at a family friend’s house during the three days I worked at Churchill Downs. On Derby day, I had to leave at 4:30 a.m. in order to arrive on time. I was there until everyone left. Needless to say, it was an extremely long day. Some servers did not work as hard as they could have, but I felt that I truly earned the money I made.
At the end of the day, I had to soak my feet in hot water, trying to decrease the extreme pain I was feeling. But the pain was worth it. I think that experiencing the Derby from a worker’s perspective was very interesting and I am definitely glad that I worked those days. I felt that I was experiencing a unique Kentucky event.
I was able to experience the Derby through a completely different perspective than someone who was attending. I worked very hard in order to make the event better for the guests. I am working again this year, but I’m not sure if I will do it again next year.
If you are seeking a way to get involved with the Derby, becoming a staff member is a great way to earn a few extra dollars, while participating in the festivities. However, you must go into it knowing that it will not be easy—not even close to easy.
Kara is a sophomore nursing major. E-mail her at kaugustine@louisvillecardinal.com
