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Derby Doo!
A Kentucky Derby Celebration
 What's a doo? Or is it a do? Whatever it is,
I know one thing; it's a party, a celebration, a get-together. So "do"
it up and celebrate the Kentucky Derby in style this Derby Day--the first
Saturday in May. In researching what others do to celebrate the running of the
race, we came across some great ideas.
Invitation
KentuckyDerby.com tells you to send an invitation with
racetrack language--post time being the time the party will start, track
location being your address, trainers being the host names, dress code being
silks. A great idea. You may want to include tickets to the track and even
include on a separate card the "program" listing each race (drinks,
first course, second course and third, then dessert).
At the Entrance
A sign on your front door that says...Welcome to Louisville--this way to
Churchill Downs (home of the Derby!). Thoroughbreds welcome! will get everyone
in the mood. Think about using a
banner that will hold up to your party's wear and tear. Another fun thing would be to give each person a horseshoe of
fake flowers to wear as they enter (like a lei, but not). Or save them for
later, and give out to those lucky few who chose the Derby winner.
Decorations
Near the bar...put a sign that says... "And we're off!"
indicating the party starts right here. Don't forget to serve Mint Juleps, ice
tea and other southern style drinks. Another great idea from KentuckyDerby.com is a "fifth of Kentucky Bourbon
frozen in a block of ice as a conversation piece. The Bourbon is set in an
empty half gallon milk carton filled with water, sprigs of greenery, rose
petals and then frozen. Peel off the carton and set iced Bourbon on a cocktail
napkin to prevent slipping, and then in a deep tray to catch the melting ice.
Surround the iced Bourbon with greenery." The Party Girl couldn't have
said it better herself.
By the buffet, a cute sign saying, "Step into the Winner's Circle and
Enjoy!" invites people to eat when and if they want. As much as you can,
I would make use of horseshoe molds. Anything and everything you can shape in
a horseshoe--do! Jello molds, salmon mousse and other delights.
Decorate throughout with
balloons and flowers. Use red since red roses are
the flower of choice. And red is the color of choice. Centerpieces can be
potted flowering plants, wrapped with foil and bows. Candy on the tables
should be solid chocolate horses or chocolate horse heads wearing the
traditional winning horseshoe.
Food
There are certain Kentucky
rituals to observe.
Allrecipes.com does a nice job of putting together some food and
drink
recipes.
Activities
As an activity, collect "derby" trivia and see who wins. What was
the fastest start and when? How many horses were sent off with odds of 100-1?
Who was the highest priced winner? For more ideas, go to http://www.derbymuseum.org/home.html. Plus, I would have
everyone bet for the horse with the most original name.
Of course, you should take bets and give betting tickets--or make it easy
on yourself and make a large poster with the list of horses (let's see there's
Dancer and Prancer and...), bets placed and by whom so that there's no
argument when Secretariat wins! Ooops. Prospects for the Y2K race and comments
on each contender can be found at http://www.kentuckyderby.com/kderby/coverage/entrants/index.html.
If kid’s are part of the
celebration think about dressing them for the occasion with a Ride a Pony Costume?
I’m guessing this will keep them busy for at least awhile. I know the Mom’s
will wear fancy hats (that is what you do on race day, after all) so why not dress up your baby ?
Another good kid’s activity is whacking away at a horse
piñata.
Something Extra
Don't forget some sort of betting program so people know the odds on
favorite, etc., or you'll be forever answering questions. Good luck. And
remember, it's just an excuse to eat, drink and be merry.
Enjoy the race, from the Party Girl
and the Party-ettes!
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