Kentucky Derby Party in 5 Steps

The Kentucky Derby is always cause for a celebration! Since its inaugural running on May 17 of 1875, racing fans and sport spectators alike look forward to the first Saturday in May: an afternoon of southern-inspired food and drinks, show-stopping style, and most importantly, incredible Thoroughbred racing. Can’t actually be at Churchill Downs for the big day? No problem! Here are five key steps to throwing an epic, at-home Kentucky Derby party:

1. Décor is Everything

Red roses are the official flower of the Kentucky Derby, and its most recognized symbol. Add fresh or silk roses around your event space for a nice, traditional touch. Get creative with your décor. From horseshoes to jockey helmets, design your event to look super festive! Visit your local party supply shop or order special Kentucky Derby cups and plates online. The more you commit to the décor, the more you will feel like you are right there in the action!

2. Set a Dress Code

The Kentucky Derby is about the best of the best, so make sure that your guests look and feel like a million bucks! How many times a year do most women get to put on a fancy dress, and men sport a bowtie? Send your guests invitations that enforce Derby attire, especially fedoras and big hats. The Derby is all about making a fashion statement. Bring out the best of Spring fashion with bold patterns and pastel colors. Have fun with it and take plenty of photos!

Side note: Make sure to have a few extra hats and accessories available for guests needing to add a little swagger.

3. Mint Juleps!

No Kentucky Derby party is complete without bourbon; but more specifically, the signature cocktail – the Mint Julep! This simple yet delightfully powerful cocktail is comprised of:

• 2 oz Woodfood Reserve Bourbon
• ½ oz Simple Syrup
• Crushed ice
• Fresh mint sprigs garnishes

This cocktail is always a hit, so prepare a pitcher (or two) in advance.

Fun Idea: Create a do-it-yourself Mint Julep Station for guests.

Alcohol-free option: stay on theme with a pitcher of southern “Sweet Tea” or refreshing raspberry lemonade.

4. Keep Your Guests Busy

The best parties are the ones with a variety of activities for party-goers to take part in at their leisure. Set up a photo booth – people love them – with homemade props made out of construction paper or felt, grab a hat and some sunglasses and take some memorable photos! Get the whole party involved by having a betting pool game where participating guests pay a specific amount (example: $5) and have each guest pick a Derby contender’s name out of a hat. The guest who draws the winning Derby horse gets to keep the entire pot. It’s a fun, easy way to get your guests invested in a horse they may not have thought of otherwise and also make a few extra bucks.

5. Know the Contenders

The Kentucky Derby is “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” so make them count! Whether you play for fun or for profit, you want your guests to have a stake in the big race. Educate your guests on all things Derby. Have a “cheat sheet” that shares a bit of information about each of the horses running. Do you have a friend who is a whiz at handicapping? Have them share their racing insights with the party and show guests how to make a bet!

You can learn about all the horses as well as their connections (jockeys, owners, and trainers) on the official Kentucky Derby website here.

Important: Make sure to have the television locked onto live coverage of all the action at Churchill Downs throughout the day to keep up with the contenders, current odds, changes and all of the day’s action as it unfolds.

With these party must-haves and suggestions, your Kentucky Derby Party is sure to be memorable!

This story was written by Ciara Austin and originally published in the May 2017 issue of Thoroughbred Today Magazine, EverythingEQ’s racing lifestyle publication, and has been modified to include updates and improve the overall user experience on our website.