Host a Fabulous Kentucky Derby Party!

And They’re Off!  Host a Kentucky Derby Party!

The 135th running of the Kentucky Derby gives us another great reason to host a party!  While I am not a Southerner, I do have a few ideas for a fun get together!

Derby History

The Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday,May 3rd, at 6 p.m. EST on NBC.  Television coverage will begin at 5:00 p.m.  The race is the longest continually run sporting event in the United States and is known as the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports!”  A more sentimental way to refer to the race is “The Run for the Roses,” because of the blanket of red roses draped over the winning horse.  (Right about now, Dan Fogelberg’s 1980 hit song “Run for the Roses” should be running through your head!)

Hosting a Derby Party

Hosting a Derby party is a brilliant idea – it is an annual event, takes place at a lovely time of year, and is a little out of the ordinary, especially if you are not from the South!  This is a great occasion to claim as your annual entertaining event!

Invitations

• Jockey Jersey and a Mint Julip -  check out this clever invitation from Fine Stationery composed of two die cut pieces, joined by a brad, both of which have printable surfaces.  One depicts a jockey’s jersey and the other a mint julep! (Fine Stationery, item number 48294)
• Racing Silks – this attractive card features a border of jockey shirts, complete with some hoof marks! (polkadotdesign.com, blank cards: $22/20, printed: $42/20)
• A Taste of Kentucky – Here you’ll find invitations featuring the official 134th Kentucky Deryby logo.  These invitations can be filled in by hand and are sold in sets of 8.  Coordinating paper products and a lot more can be found at this unique site. (A Taste of Kentucky, $5.99).  Don’t forget to request their free Derby Party Planning Guide!)

Party Time-Frame

• Plan to invite your guests to your home two hours BEFORE the race begins!  Expect the party to continue for at least an hour after the race.

Menu

I have seen Derby party menus done in two different ways – one is a casual, Southern type barbeque (think pulled pork and biscuits) and the other is formal and elegant (think tea sandwiches).  What I propose here is somewhere in the middle and I hope true to Kentucky traditions!

Drinks

• Mint Juleps (a must!)
• Kentucky bourbon
• Iced tea
• Lemonade

Main Dishes

• Kentucky Burgoo (similar to a stew, dating back to before the Civil War!) or
• Beef Tenderloin served with “Henry Bain” sauce, another Kentucky tradition!
• At A Taste of Kentucky, , you can purchase pre-made Henry Bain sauce for $5.59

Side Dishes

• Benedictine – a dip for fresh vegetables
• Cheese Garlic Grits
• Grilled Asparagus

Dessert

• Derby Pie – also known as Thoroughbred Pie
• If you’d like to save some time, order a Derby Pie from A Taste of Kentucky, $19.99

Table Decorations

• Red roses are a must!  You can fill silver mint julep cups with the roses and/or have a florist arrange red roses into a horseshoe shape for you.  Scatter red rose petals across the table!
• For a fun and unusual table centerpiece, try cutting a piece of fresh sod to fit into a tray or low basket.  Center a large, plastic toy horse on the sod and tie something red around the horse’s neck!

Activities

• Encourage your female guests to wear hats in the style of the grand women at Churchill Downs!  The more extravagant the better!  Award prizes (Win, Place and Show) to the top three!
• Set up for some fun wagering!  Download a list of race horses and make a copy for each guest.  Decide how you will have guests place their bets.
• A Taste of Kentucky offers two items to assist you with setting up the wagering -  one is a set of tote tickets sold in packages of 100 (you’ll need to buy one set each of win, place and show tickets – item #243C, $5.50).  Another possibility is a set of twenty Wooden Derby Jackpot Horses.  Each horse is numbered and reusable (item #213C, $34.99).  Assign one willing guest to be the cashier!
• At one over-the-top Derby party I attended, the host had a rider on horseback gallop through the backyard, playing the racing tune on a bugle!
• Pick up a CD of Derby Sounds and play it during the party! (Try The Sounds of Kentucky, $11.99)

Party Favors

• For 135th Kentucky Derby shot glasses with the official logo visit The Party Source (about $3 each).
• Totally fun and unique, consider ordering “Dirty Old Horseshoes” direct from Churchill Downs.  These are authentic, used horseshoes wrapped in cellophane and tied with a red and white gingham bow! (A Taste Of Kentucky, item 232C, $3.99 each, pictured at top of page)

Hostess Gifts

Addison Collection offers fabulous gifts by Mariposa for your Derby host!  Mariposa has created the following items for Derby day:

• horseshoe sauce dish
• riding boot bottle opener
• a thoroughbred platter
• cocktail napkin box with beaded trim around the edge, filled with napkins depicting riding silks and topped with a horseshoe shaped weight

The Horse and Hound Gallery has a unique line of derby themed linens called Post Time. The collection includes cotton napkins, placemats and dishtowels in two adorable prints.  The prints are colorful and depict cute jockey jerseys around the borders!

Books also make nice hostess gifts.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Kentucky Derby Stories by Jim Bolus
• Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand
• National Velvet by Enid Bagnold (especially if your host has children who are the right age for this one!)
• The Kentucky Derby: Run for the Roses by Bill Doolittle (This is a beautiful coffee table book with a gorgeous cover.)
• The Kentucky Derby Museum Cookbook

And now, I hope that “you’re off” and running to prepare for a festive Kentucky Derby celebration!

You may also enjoy:

• Easily Create a Party Theme Start to Finish
• How to Burn Your Own CDs
• Perfect Party Quantities
• Final Party Checklist
• Adding Special Touches to Your Party

Garland of Roses

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