What To Do This Weekend

Dress in your costumes and head out on the town this weekend! There are plenty of opportunities for Halloween fun around every corner. You can also take part in activities to raise money to help those with breast cancer, attend a play, celebrate comic books, and more.

Look below for some hauntingly good picks for weekend fun:

What To Do This Weekend

As we cruise into fall, take some time to enjoy the fruits of the season. Take a scenic trip to a farm such as Gallrein Farms, Huber Family Farm, or Farm Life to select the perfect pumpkin or pick some crisp apples. This weekend, you can also come face to face with dinosaurs, take in a movie on Slugger Field, head bang to some heavy metal music, and more.

Check out some weekend selections below:

What To Do This Weekend

This weekend, watch a battle for the throne in Kentucky Shakespeare's production of Richard II at the C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in historic Old Louisville’s Central Park. The play is part of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, the oldest free Shakespeare festival in the country. This weekend also offers opportunities to admire the beauty of multiple varieties of daylilies (even from a hot air balloon!), bid on a date with a bachelor for a good cause, have some family fun at the track, or catch a movie or free outdoor concerts.

Check out our selections below, and have a great weekend!

What To Do This Weekend

It's Father's Day weekend! In honor of all of the great dads out there, we've provided a few ideas for activities you can enjoy, where they get a little something extra to celebrate them.

Check out our ideas below for a fun time with Dad and other events for everyone to enjoy!

Don’t Sweat Your Makeup Off!

By Denise Cardwell

Model: Sara Michels; Photo: Kelley J Photography
Hair and Makeup: Denise Cardwell at Blades Salon & Spa

Denise Cardwell, makeup artist at Blades Salon and Spa and the master behind the makeup of many of our Today’s Woman photo shoots, shares her secrets to sweat-proofing your makeup.

Getting to Churchill Downs

By Tiffany White

Photo: James Moses; Illustration: Silvia Cabib

Navigating your way through the heavy traffic and finding a parking space at Churchill Downs on Derby day can be a race to the finish itself. These tips from our Today’s Woman Inner Circle panel will make your trip to the track easier.

How To Place a Bet

By Carrie Vittitoe

Janessa Moran has her own formula for betting. Photo by Melissa Donald 

Many women, myself included, think of Derby in terms of betting on a winning fashion outfit. What hats will be popular? What dress and shoe combinations will be attractive? When it comes to betting on the races, I select a horse based on its name or if a jockey’s silks are pleasing to my eye. While there is nothing wrong with this approach, it can be a lot more exciting to put some effort into choosing where to put your money.

Inside Scoop on What Food to Buy at the Chow Wagon

By Melissa Donald

Fire-N-The Hole Wood Fired Pizzas: ‘Just What The Doctor Ordered’ and ‘Horsin’ Around’
Photos by Melissa Donald

Looking for something different and delicious at the Chow Wagon this year? I checked out the vendors this year and will show you what’s new and fantastic!

What Are You Wearing Tonight to Opening Night?

By Alissa Hicks

Photo: Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Festival 

Tonight kicks off Derby Week at Churchill Downs. Opening Night offers more than just live racing — actors, dancers, musicians, visual artists and more will perform throughout the track. The night will also feature the inaugural Awards in the Arts. Gates open at 5pm with the first live race at 6pm. Tickets are $10-$125.

But back to what you are going to wear...

Five Things to Pack in Your Derby Bag

By Alissa Hicks

Shelby Stephens is wearing: Dress available at Blu Boutique 12003 Shelbyville Rd #106, 502.384.8692, $230; Earrings available at Chartreuse Westport Village 1301 Herr Ln #152, 502.409.7082, $13; Bracelet available at Sunny Daize, 11809 Shelbyville Rd, 502.244.5580, $20; Handbag available at Blu Boutique, $89; Shoes available at Modern Elegance 3921 Chenoweth Square, 502.883.4721, $68; Hat by The Willow Tree, 657 S Hurstbourne Pkwy, 502.423.9822, $599.
Photo by Melissa Donald

Heading to the track? Planning your bag is just as important as planning your hat! Derby, Oaks, Thurby...a day at the track can be very long, and because your purse can only be so big, it’s imperative that you take the essentials. From my own experience and that of other women, I’ve put together a list of the five must-have items to pack in your purse on race day.

5 Perfect Hairstyles for Hats

By Alissa Hicks

Photos by Melissa Donald

When it comes to planning your Derby look, it’s easy to focus only on your outfit, hat, or the right pair of shoes. But it’s also important to plan your hairstyle before the big day. Depending on the weather, your style of headpiece, and what makes you feel most comfortable, there are so many different looks you can try. Here are a few of our favorites.

Derby Sweet — Derby Savory

By Paige Rhodes

Photos by Paige Rhodes

This time of year brings out a ton of fashion, food, and of course, the classic cocktails: the Mint Julep and the Grey Goose Oaks Lily. We all know that the Mint Julep’s call to fame is bourbon and mint, but not everyone is aware of the inner workings of a Lily. The Lily is the official drink of The Oaks and is as refreshing as it is beautiful. The cocktail is made from Grey Goose vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, cranberry juice, and orange liqueur, with a lemon wedge and blackberry to garnish. The two recipes that follow incorporate the flavors of each cocktail into two completely different dishes that you can be proud to serve at your Derby Day bash.

In a Horse Trainer's Shoes

By Yelena Sapin

Photos by Sunni Wigginton

Mary Midkiff goes through a pair of Gore-Tex trail shoes every year. The professional horse trainer and author spends hours in the barn each day, subjecting her footwear to muck, mud, soap, water, miles of walking, and the occasional trampling by the animals in her care. Not sure you can relate? You might be surprised by how much you have in common. Step into her shoes and see for yourself. Ready? It’s morning. You’re Mary, and the alarm is going off.

Emoji Shoot — Behind the Scenes

By Jessica Alyea

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how we pulled off our emoji-themed Derby shoot (see it on page 78). Because so much of our lives are now captured and communicated through social media, we thought this theme would be relatable and just plain fun.

Behind the scenes of our Derby photo shoot at The Hub

Jacey Holloway poses for our first shot of the day. 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at our Derby shoot at The Hub (see it on page 62). We got inspired by the cool cocktails and moody atmosphere to create these modern Derby looks.

The location: Stylist Alissa Hicks first brought The Hub to our attention as a potential Derby photo shoot location back in January. The cool decor and creative drink mixology of owner Eric Wentworth paired perfectly with a cocktail theme.

The day: February 25; there’s a light snow that turns to rain later.

Two Don’t Miss Events: Dawn at the Downs and Thurby

By Megan S. Willman

Amanda Walukas's son Wyatt spent part of his birthday bonding with the horses at Churchill Downs last year. 

Amanda Walukas is serious about Churchill Downs and anything that has to do with Derby. She grew up going to the racetrack, accompanying her grandpa (who was a bookie…shhhhh!) since she was 3 years old. Her family spends holidays like Thanksgiving, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day at the track; it’s a tradition that’s part of the very fabric of her family.

The Inside Scoop on the Balloons

By Torie Temple

Photos courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum 

A duck, a sheep, and a rooster were in a hot air balloon…

Unfortunately, there isn’t a punchline to this true story of the first unmanned balloon flight in 1783 in France that lasted eight minutes and covered two miles before the unlikely passengers landed safely on the ground. Since this successful flight, human passengers have been enjoying the graceful glide of hot air ballooning in the colorful giants that have become a symbol of the Kentucky Derby Festival.

So Your Arms Are a Little Big….How to Bare Them Beautifully for Derby

By Erin Fust

Illustrated by Jessica Alyea

Derby time is the best time to strut your stuff in a new dress — ideally, one that shows off your best assets and downplays any areas you’re not so confident about. One common ‘trouble zone’ among women is upper arms. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind while shopping if you struggle with dressing your upper body with confidence.

Eat, Play, Linger…Where To Go With Your Guests

By Lucy M. Pritchett

This poached egg and bacon pizza from Blue Dog Bakery is one of many tasty foods you and your friends can try.
Photo by Johanna Ehnle

Perhaps you are having out-of-town guests for Derby this year. Or, as Louisvillian Abbey Mueller did, you have taken the plunge and rented your home to visitors from out of town. If your guests are here for more than just the Oaks/Derby weekend, you might find yourself playing tour guide or at least offering suggestions on places to Eat, Play, Linger.

Don’t Make These Mistakes for Your Derby Party

By Marie Bradby

Mini potato pancake with house cured salmon and dill crema. Photo by Melissa Donald

We talked to Susan Hershberg, owner of the Wiltshire Pantry Bakery and Cafe on Breckenridge Street in the Highlands, Wiltshire on Market in NuLu, and the new Wiltshire at the Speed about hosting Derby parties. She says most people make one common mistake.