Here's something that's been on my mind for a while and I've written about it before, but I'm presenting it here to a different audience since I'm sure there are trends to be extrapolated.

I live in Louisville KY, home to the Kentucky Derby. I've always felt a connection to the race, even as a boy living in Connecticut where my Kentucky-transplanted parents held an annual Derby party, as one does. It's a pretty cool vibe here in this city for the two week festival. We don't all go to the Derby, naturally, but between the parade and boat race and marathon and art fair there's something for everyone to take part in.

When I moved here in 1990 things were different. I think the price of an Infield ticket was $40, and for Oaks it was just $25. Picnics with box lunches and spiked watermelons were everywhere. It seemed as if half the crowd was young people trying to sneak alcohol in. Women dressed in an odd mix of flowery dresses and riding boots, like a portmanteau of two very different worlds.

It wasn't rich people slumming, or common folk putting on airs. A mint julep and a $2 bet was the great equalizer.

In the time since, a lot has changed and you can read about it here.

Derby has transitioned from a local tradition where we welcome visitors with southern hospitality and charm, to one where the locals are priced out, the economic impact doesn't go farther than the hotels, and the people attending arrive in private jets.

And now it seems like no one around here cares about the Derby anymore. It feels a lot like being a Bernie Sanders supporter in 2016. They just want to use us to turn out and provide the energy for their festival.