LOUISVILLE, Ky. — From fans to face rags, Derrick McCollum is doing what he can to make sure everyone stays cool at this year's Funk Fest at Waterfront Park.
"You can get a fan for $5, face rag three for $5," he said.
McCollum traveled from Atlanta to Louisville with his son and friend. He's no stranger to heat but when he saw this week's temperature in the high 90's, he didn't hesitate to make a road trip.
"We looked at the weather and saw it was going to be hot, so we accommodated to the weather," he said.
Festival-goer Sherell Rice was selling cold bottles of water at Funk Fest.
"Well hydration is going to be the most important thing you know so if I can help out here we are," said Rice.
Water stations are set up inside and outside the venue but Funk Fest attendees are being told to hydrate before arriving.
"You know you're coming outside so continue to hydrate before you come and like I say we have water stations set up," Coordinator Pamela Bass said.
Thousands of fans are coming to town for the two-day lineup. Friday night's music is hip-hop, and on Saturday R&B artists will be performing.
Besides just hydrating, concert goers like Nicole Barinno have been at the Waterfront for hours with their lawn chairs in nicely shaded areas.
"Well the sun keeps coming in and out so just trying to get some shade, really much," said Barinno.
festival-goer Shaquetta Shanks said it's all about the experience despite the heat.
"I'm [going] to dance to some music and I'm [about] to vibe with my family," she said.
Over at Churchill Downs, horse trainers like Dale Romans are making sure all horses are kept cool after a full afternoon of racing.
"The heat can be hard on horses; one thing about this year is that we gradually got into it," he said.
Romans said horses are being hydrated and they have fans on them while they're in their stalls.
"We give them a nice cold alcohol bath and that helps to get the water back off of them so there's not an insulated barrier," he said.
It's the key to beating the heat when you are running at top speed under the spires.
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