CORYDON, Ind. (WAVE) – There is one couple at Churchill Downs you can spot every year: Carrie and Jeff Ketterman of Corydon, Indiana. Their Kentucky Derby fashion is consistently elaborate, themed and hard to miss.

In recent years, the Kettermans have dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert, Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, and even Jack and Rose from “Titanic.”

“I just think life is too short to not go all out,” Carrie Ketterman said.

The couple draws attention wherever they go at the track — even mid-mint julep — as people stop to stare and snap photos. Carrie Ketterman said her love for the Derby began long before the costumes.

She has attended every year since 1997, a tradition she credits to her father.

“He took me to my first Derby and I was hooked. Absolutely hooked,” she said.

The over-the-top outfits started nearly 15 years ago, when Carrie decided they should attend as Eliza Doolittle and Professor Henry Higgins in the famous Royal Ascot scene in “My Fair Lady.” A photo from that year hangs in what she calls their mini Derby museum at home, alongside hats and outfits from other Derbies.

“I ran out of space,” she said, gesturing to a wall lined with hats and memorabilia.

She said friends watching Derby coverage from home have turned spotting the couple into a running joke.

“It’s like, take a shot every time you see the Kettermans walking through the paddock,” she said.

Carrie said her process is consistent: pick a theme, then build the hat, then the rest of the outfit. Jeff Ketterman said he sometimes hesitates when she pitches a new concept — but usually comes around.

“The French Rococo — I finally gave in,” he said, adding that it turned out to be a good idea.

The couple also runs The Old Capital Tea Room out of their home, where Carrie said some of the pieces make repeat appearances for events such as trivia, murder mysteries and story times.

“Whether we sing, do trivia, murder mysteries, story times. It’s a chance to use these pieces again,” she said.

Looking ahead to Derby 152, Carrie said she wanted the look to feel lighter after a difficult year.

“It was such a dark year in 2025,” she said, citing the unexpected loss of her beloved father and other family members.

She said the new theme centers on spring: tulle, flowers and a fresh start. She spent several weeks working on it, while Jeff is still pulling his look together — including a tailor.

Jeff is content to let Carrie shine and support her.

“Over the years, I have grown to love Derby and appreciate the tradition very much and I just like the fact she loves it so much. I know what it means to her. So I’ll go with it,” Jeff told WAVE.