LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Derby week has finally descended upon Louisville, and neighbors near Churchill Downs are ready to cash in.
"I'm so excited I can't wait until Wednesday gets here and then we got Derby," neighbor Michael Wiggiton said.
He has been charging fans to park in his front and back yards on Central Avenue for the last four years.
"Thursday we're charging $40 a car and Friday we are charging $50 a car and then Saturday is $65 a car," Wiggiton said.
He will also be selling beer and firing up the grill.
"I'm going to have ribs, chicken, hamburgers, brats, hotdogs," said Wiggiton.
Around the corner on Burton Avenue, Miguel Rodriguez and his family cleared their lot to park vehicles for $100 or $150.
Rodriguez's mom will sell fans for the expected hot weather, and flipflops while he plans to carpool fans back and forth.
"You pay me like $50 and I'm moving you," said Rodriguez.
Down the street is Gary Smith; his lot can park up to six RV's.
"It's not real big, but it's big enough," he said.
Smith looks forward to this time of year, every year. He plans to make a nice profit from the RV's and cars that will be parked.
"We can hold about 15 cars," said Smith.
Central Avenue will be the only street closed to on-street parking, but Metro Councilwoman Jennifer Chappell said parking is allowed in those residents' yards.
"If there is a street that's closed please reach out to my office we will take care of it," she said.
While Chappell is looking forward to welcoming thousands to her district, she asked everyone to be courteous and mindful of their actions.
"Take in all the local flavor but also be respectful; these are neighborhoods that we're going into," said Chappell.
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