LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bright-colored outfits are the norm at the Kentucky Derby.

Women, men and even children arrive with hopes of attracting attention. Derric Chumney does the same thing, but for a different reason.

His neon green shirt is the first way he stands out. The second is his contagious smile. If those weren’t enough to attract a line, maybe his high-energy voice will do the trick.

“Cold beer, cold beer, step right up! Who’s ready? Ice cold beer, no line, no wait! Cold beer! You ready? You ready?”

Chumney has traveled to some cool places with La Grange, Kentucky-based Rocket Man. His alcohol-vending job took him to Indianapolis Colts games, concerts and even Las Vegas. But Churchill Downs was a first.

“I was excited, I was very excited,” the Indianapolis, Indiana native said of the his first Derby. “Because I heard about this. [Friday] was OK, but they said [Saturday] was the main day. Any time you get a chance to get out and get away from home and come to an event like this, see new faces, people you’ve never seen before and have a good time, it’s fun. I knew I was going to make me some good money, too.”

Chumney has a prime location, too. Just inside Gate 1, where a steady flow of Derby-goers enter on race day, he stands next to his cooler of Bud Light, champagne and water. He got to the track around 7:30 a.m.

Here, as the unique suits and large hats enter, Chumney’s energy is on full display.

“It’s going to bring people to me, but I do this everywhere, even if it’s a bad show,” he said. “It’s just me, that’s my personality. You didn’t even see the full me, because there’s some things they won’t let me do today.”

Chumney’s been impressed by the crowds at concerts, the way Chris Brown dances and even the occasional NBA player in attendance at events he has worked. On Saturday at the Derby, he was impressed again.

“Everybody’s just doing their thing, dressing the way they dress,” he said. “I like it here, man. Everybody’s just being themselves. Nice suits, nice dresses. It’s like a big Easter party.”

A walk away from Chumney and through the infield tunnel leads to a dignitary of sorts. Dave Humes is attending his 39th consecutive Kentucky Derby. His 18th-century style wig is probably the first thing that catches eyes, even if it’s under a poncho, as it was Saturday morning. Once he turns around, the office he holds is proudly written on the back of his 20-year-old suit jacket: “Mayor of the Infield.”

“I designated [the title] myself,” Humes said. “It used to be a big joke, but 20 years later people started accepting it. Even the people that used to make fun of me call me Mayor now.”

The rain on Derby day doesn’t bother the Mayor, who arrives around 6 a.m. every year and is usually among the first in line.

“There’s been plenty,” he said. “It ain’t the first muddy infield this coat’s seen.”

Humes, a native of Moline, Illinois, has made the 8-hour drive to Louisville, Kentucky every May for a little less than four decades. The first trip didn’t have much to do with horse racing, either.

“My buddy said it was the greatest party ever,” Humes said. “I said, ‘Alright, I’ll check it out.’ I came and went, ‘You’re right. I’ll never not go back.'”

Like many attendees, Humes places a bet or two. Gambling isn’t his strength.

“I have two favorite horses, the only two I’ve won in 39 years,” Humes said. “Unbridled and Go For Gin.”

The biggest change over the years for Humes and his group was the addition of turf suites near the final stretch of track.

“That used to be where we would run to the fourth turn, where the gates opened to load the horses in,” Humes said. “They’d come around and whoever was in front at that point would usually win. It was the best spot, but they sold out to corporate America. Now we’re over here with the college punks.”

While hats and suits catch most eyes, the personalities at the Derby are just as bright.

Maskulinski writes for the Jeffersonville, Indiana News and Tribune.