CLICK HERE FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS OFFICIAL WEBSITE
The coordinates take you to the BARBARO statue near the Main Gate.
Meet there promptly at 1pm, sign the logbook, greet your friends, snap a few pictures, and be on your way in a few minutes if you choose. That meets the minimal requirements to attend this event.
Why can’t we have the event INSIDE Churchill Downs? Because the geocaching guidelines for Event Caches state that “such events (as sporting events) are not suitable for submission as Event Caches because the organizers and the primary attendees are not geocachers. Fair enough. Makes sense.
So we hope you are not opposed to attending an exciting NON-EVENT after the “Flash Event”. The only “smile” you will get for going inside is the big one that will be on your face.
Inside Churchill Downs, you can watch the horses race, visit the outstanding gift shop, place a $2 bet, or even try a $8 Mint Julep (includes souvenir 2012 Derby glass). Just join us inside the gates immediately following the Flash Event.
There will be 9 races that day and you may stay for as many or as few as you prefer. Who knows, you may want to hit the highlights, see a couple of races, visit the winner’s circle and the gift shop, put it in the “Been There, Done That” column, and go caching.
If you decide to join us inside, General Admission is a mere $3 for adults and only an unbelievable $1 for Seniors (60 and over). Remember, there will be alcohol and gambling inside the track so use your own discretion regarding children (12 and under are free).
General Admission gives you access to most areas, freedom to roam around, and some great photo opportunities. General unassigned seating is available in several areas. We will attempt to cluster together initially.
Dress is casual (but is required…don’t let the word “Flash” confuse you). If you choose to wear alligator shoes, an outrageous hat, a lime green leisure suit, a beehive hairdo, or excessive bling, you will most likely blend right in with the crowd and go unnoticed. No matter what you see, it is NOTHING compared to what you would see here on Derby Day.
PARKING UPDATE:
FREE PARKING is in the huge parking lot for GATE #10. Enter off LONGFIELD AVENUE. (Free parking is also available on many of the adjacent city streets, but is often limited to 2 hours). Also, premium parking is available near BARBARO for $10.
DOOR PRIZE UPDATE:
***GUIDED FRONTSIDE TOUR for 20 people courtesy of Churchill Downs***
Winners will be determined by a drawing. The tour will take place mid-afternoon.
***PRICELESS BACKSIDE TOUR for 20 people***
As a special treat, geocacher Churchillchap will be conducting a BACKSIDE TOUR of Churchill Downs for 20 lucky geocachers. Those 20 geocachers will be determined by a drawing. They will temporarily depart from the group and will take a walking tour "behind the scenes". They will likely see some of the horses and jockeys up close, experience the community spirit, visit the horse barns, and be exposed to whatever happens to be occuring at the moment. This BACKSIDE TOUR will be Churchillchap's gift to the geocaching community. He is extremely informative and generous with his time and is offering a once in a lifetime experience. This truly is "priceless" because it is not available to the general public at any price. This tour will begin immediately after the FLASH EVENT.
HERE IS THE PLAN:
Park for free at GATE #10 off Longfield Avenue (lot entrance at N38:11.920 W85:46.560), park close to the building but DO NOT enter the admission gate, stroll towards BARBARO (N38:12.320 W85:46.300) and arrive for the flash event @ precisely 1:00 pm. Register for the door prizes, take pictures, meet new folks, then depart if you choose. If you won a BACKSIDE tour, follow CHURCHILLCHAP. All others follow SHOW ME THE CACHE to GATE #17 (N38:12.260 W85:46.400) to actually enter Churchill Downs. Once inside, congregate on the FRONT ROW between the FINISH LINE and the beginning of the FIRST TURN. FRONTSIDE tour winners will be notified when the tour guide(s) are available later in the afternoon.
PLEASE POST A "WILL ATTEND" AND TELL US IF YOU WILL BE JOINING US INSIDE CHURCHILL DOWNS FOR PART OF THE AFTERNOON.
Peace from Louisville,
Show Me The Cache