The anticipation and excitement around the horse racing is mounting, so invite some friends over and throw a party to celebrate the Run For The Roses. It can be simple and easy with these entertaining tips—you’ll be all set for the racing season which is just getting started.
According to event planner Lori Schur of Schur Thing Events, “your invitation sets the mood, so find Kentucky Derby-themed invites on Zazzle, Etsy, Paperless Post, or Evite.” The party starts at the front door, so decorate your entrance with a large, gold-painted paper horseshoe. “Inside your home, create a photo wall with a Derby-themed backdrop from Etsy, and then create your own fun hashtag that guests can use to post their photos to social media,” adds Schur.
-It’s all about the fabulous fashion for the Derby, so encourage guests to dress up. Buy some plain hats and have a trunk filled with an assortment of feathers, bows, silk flowers, and colorful ribbons that guests can use to style their hats.
-In a big glass bowl, print each horse’s name on a paper card and let each guest pick one. Have everyone drop a few dollars into the bowl—the guest with the winning horse takes home all the prize money.
-Have fun with the table. Gather a few real horse stirrups from an antique store, lay down a plaid blanket for the tablecloth, and use several small round glass vases bursting with real red roses for the tablescape. Purchase mini-bottles of Maker’s Mark or Jim Beam, tie them with a red bow, and arrange them all over the table.
-Purchase “silver” mint julep cups for each guest, which guests can then take home. A classic mint julep recipe is: 2 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon, ½ oz simple syrup, 3 fresh mint leaves, and crushed ice.
“Put out creative food displays like a charcuterie board in the shape of a horseshoe, or a plate of custom-decorated cookies which can be ordered from a local bakery in the shape of hats, roses, or colorful jockey’s silks,” says Schur.
Guests will want to snack, and Bacon Bourbon Caramel Popcorn is a crowd pleaser. Find the recipe at kentuckyderby.com. And don’t forget the bourbon balls!
“The most important element to planning a party is to have fun,” says Schur. “Planning ahead and staying organized will lay the groundwork for you and your guests to have a fabulous time.”
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The Kentucky Derby
When: Saturday, May 7, 6:57 p.m.
Nickname: “The Greatest Two Minutes In Sports”
First held: 1875
Watch it: On NBC beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Favored to win: Classic Causeway
More info: kentuckyderby.com
Did you know? In 1875, when the Kentucky Derby began, Southern culture and British horse culture dictated wearing a hat to a formal event. Today, wearing a hat—the more elaborate the better—is said to bring good luck.
Minty fresh: In 1939, the mint julep became the first official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Long a popular drink in racing culture, the drink was also a marketing tool—it was served in collectors’ cups patrons could take home.
By the numbers: Churchill Downs serves 120,000 mint juleps in two days at the Derby, using 10,000 bottles of bourbon and 1,000 pounds of fresh mint.
