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Job seekers excited as Churchill Downs holds job fair for Oaks, 150th Derby

"This is very exciting that people want to come be a part of history, be a part of our anniversary celebration, for Derby 150," Mike Anderson said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — We are just 42 days away from the Kentucky Derby 150! Churchill Downs held a job fair Saturday for anyone wanting to work the historic event and fill open positions for the nine-week Spring Meet that runs April 27-June 30.

Churchill Downs and its partners Andy Frain Services, Kentucky Derby Museum, Levy Restaurants and Prichard Sports & Entertainment held a four-hour job fair looking for candidates to fill various positions: catering, cleaning and janitorial, concessions, culinary, food service, guest services and security.

"This is very exciting that people want to come be a part of history, be a part of our anniversary celebration, for Derby 150. It's truly remarkable with the lines forming for trying to sign up for a job here in the upcoming weeks," said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. "The process is very simple. You show up, give your personal information, what interests you have, so you don't have to go to the housekeeping line or the guest services line, you can apply for multiple positions. Many of us will be hiring on the spot today for seasonal employment in the next few weeks."

Hundreds of people showed up to apply for a chance to work Derby week.

"Honestly excited to be a part of history. I love the culture of Derby and I'm looking to make this as fun and easy as possible. Plus, I'm kind of in it to see all the crazy hats, I'm not going to lie!" said attendee Amy Cuevas. "Some of my friends and family aren't from Kentucky, so being able to see Derby through new eyes is going to be fun."

Some attendees, like Jerry Nash, has been working for Churchill Downs for decades...and can't wait to experience it all over again!

"I've been cooking professionally for 30 years now, so I really enjoy meeting the people from all over the world at Churchill Downs," Nash said. "This is where the roots were for cooking for me. This is where I started at. I came here and didn't know too much besides normal-everyday home cooking."

The Kentucky Derby is the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States.

Opening night kicks off the week of events on Saturday, April 27.

► Contact reporter Alex Dederer at adederer@whas11.com or on Twitter.

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