Host a Fabulous Kentucky Derby Party!

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

The 136th 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 7th, 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!

Derby Invitations

• Racing Silks – this attractive card features a border of jockey shirts, complete with some hoof marks! (Polkadotdesign, blank cards: $22/20, printed: $42/20)
• A Taste of Kentucky – Here you’ll find invitations featuring the official 136th 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. (see A Taste of Kentucky).  Don’t forget to request their free Derby Party Planning Guide!)
• The Horse and the Hound – these colorful “fill in the blank” invitations feature the official art of the 2010 Kentucky Derby.  The watercolor artwork manages to be both elegant and whimsical!  (2010 Kentucky Derby Party Invitaitons, $10 for 15 cards)
• Die Cut Racer – with a clever pocket style design, this invitation sports a glittered, die cut racer on a black and white pocket, with a royal blue and white insert.  (Die Cut Racer Invitations, 25 for $118.50)

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.

Kentucky Derby Menu – Casual or Elegant

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!

Derby Drinks

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

Derby 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

Derby Side Dishes

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

Derby 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

Kentucky Derby Paper Goods

Plates, Cups and Napkins

This year there are some paper goods worth getting excited about!  I just love what’s offered by the Horse and Hound Gallery, depicting the official 2010 Derby artwork!  The unique artwork adds an elegant touch to casual dining!  Take a look at The Horse and Hound Gallery for Plates (available in two sizes) Cups, and Napkins (also available in two sizes).

Mint Julep Cups

It’s very likely that you’ll be serving mint juleps at your Derby party, but not so likely that you own enough silver mint julep cups for all of your guests!  Celebrate Express has a solution with silver plastic cups.  While these cups definitely aren’t the real thing, your party goers will recognize your nod to the classic!  (Silver 16 oz. Plastic Cups, 20 for $3.99)

Derby Table Decorations

• Red Roses – 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!
• Sod Filled Tray – 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!

Derby Party Activities

• Extravagant Hats – 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!
• Custom Kentucky Derby Hats – this gorgeous collection of custom made Kentucky Derby hats will thrill any Southerner and make the rest of the country want to move!   If you are hosting the derby party, one of these hats will be a standout accessory! (Maggie Mae Designs)
• Wagers – 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, $5.50/set).  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!
• A Live Rider and Horse – 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!
• Derby Sounds – Pick up a CD of Derby Sounds and play it during the party! (Try The Sounds of Kentucky, $11.99)

Party Favors

• Shot Glasses – For 136th Kentucky Derby shot glasses with the official logo visit The Party Source (about $5 each).
• “Dirty Old Horshoes” – 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)
• Rose Lei - Offer your guests a lei crafted from fabric roses! (Rose Lei, $3.27 each)

Hostess Gifts

If you are lucky enough to be invited to a Kentucky Derby party,

a thematic gift will surely be appreciated!

• A 2010 Kentucky Derby Wine Glass -  this glass features the 2010 Derby artwork by Linda Le Kinff.  (2011 Kentucky Derby Wine Glass, $16)
• Tea Towels – this set of two, 100% cotton tea towels are patterned with colorful riding silks! (Jockey Silks Tea Towels, $14.95)

Books 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

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