(Downs After Dark will kick start this meet on Saturday night / Coady Photography)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team:

Churchill Downs Racetrack announced today a stylish new theme for Opening Night of the 44-day Spring Meet. Fans are invited to enjoy fashion right out of the gate as they celebrate “Style Under the Stars” and racing under the lights on Saturday, April 30, to kick off Kentucky Derby Week.

The evening of festivities will include a full card of heart-pounding racing and feature Derby-inspired fashion displays designed, created and curated by local and global style icons. Louisville-born and Los Angeles-based designer Gunnar Deatherage, will create and construct an interactive fashion installation on display in the Churchill Downs Plaza. Leading local contemporary fashion resourceRodes For Him & For Her will showcase the latest Kentucky Derby trackside trends with a style display in the Aristides Garden. Featured Kentucky Derby Milliners, Christine Moore of Christine A. Moore Millinery and Jenny Pfanenstiel of Formé Millinery, will be on hand to display their must-have accessories of the season along with style tips on how to choose and wear the perfect Derby headpiece. Guests of the high fashion fun will be serenaded by the live musical sounds of Unusual Heat featuring Zach Longoria.

“Opening Night of Kentucky Derby Week is always an exciting time of anticipation and celebration for days ahead,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. “Fashion is such a widely-enjoyed part of our Derby traditions, I can think of no better way to get fans prepared for the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports than with the most stylish night in racing.”

Tickets to Opening Night can be purchased at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/derby-week/opening-night. General Admission and First Floor open seating tickets start at $21 and Reserved Seating is $24. Reserved Dining experiences start at $85. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the first race begins at 6 p.m.