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Beyond the gates of Churchill Downs, in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the track, there’s a different sort of party happening. Residents open up their yards to park cars for a fee, cook food and celebrate the day with house parties.

Here’s the lively scene we captured this year for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Photos by Nik Vechery http://heavychronicles.com
Tremaine Cary and Jerry Whitlow of Tim Page’s BBQ. Nik Vechery
Old guys on the porch (Heywood House). Nik Vechery
Donald Thomas and the boys. Nik Vechery
Brandon and Dennis McWhorter Nik Vechery
John Dunn sits across Central Avenue from Churchill Downs. He’s been parking in the same spot since 1978. Nik Vechery
Micah playing violin on Central Avenue. Nik Vechery
Emily Campbell and Michele Barbosa playing violins outside Churchill Downs. Nik Vechery
Gerald Ellery of Raw Dawg Grilled Wangs starts his first batch of the day. Nik Vechery
Shannon Goad parking cars at her house. Nik Vechery
Sunnyside Baby Lions fundraising outside Churchill Downs. Nik Vechery
Shaqueen Sheppard selling her barcelets and necklaces. Nik Vechery
The horses don’t only exist inside the track. Nik Vechery
Hannah Stellmacher at Down The Stretch Lounge. Nik Vechery
No Vendors. Nik Vechery
Ryan Mitchem of Hibachi 2 Go bringing the food truck out for the first time on Derby. Nik Vechery
Dump trucks used by the city to block off roads to the neighborhood off Central Avenue. Nik Vechery
Fences used to block off Central Avenue in front of Churchill Downs. Nik Vechery
Half of the Ninja Turtles hanging out for Derby. Nik Vechery
Spider-Man made an appearance at Derby. Nik Vechery
Trash outside the entrance to Churchill Downs. Nik Vechery
Keith playing percussion with his daughter Zariyah and son Zyaire outside of Churchill Downs. Nik Vechery

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