Celebrating The One and Only Kentucky Derby
The first Saturday in May hosts the most famous race horse in the World- the tradition-rich Kentucky Derby. While it may be a lifetime Bucket List for some, there’s no reason why the thrill and pomp of this sacred occasion can’t be celebrated each and every year. Join the equestrian lifestyle for a day and create your own Winner’s Circle tradition.
1 | Bring the Winner’s Circle Home
Red roses are the signature flower of the Derby- represented by the Garland of Roses, a 40-lbs. floral arrangement presented to the winning, a tradition since 1896. You can create the stunning beauty of this tradition with a simple rose bouquet.
Supplies:
2 dozen roses (red is most Derby-esque, but go with whatever color suits your fancy). I bought these at Costco for $21.
Any decorative bowl, vase, or even carafe/teapot you may have sitting in storage unused and unloved. This is one I got at a thrift stores years ago.
Metal-specific polish (If needed)
Old cotton dish cloth or washcloth (if needing to polish)
Scotch tape
Glass bowl (to fit inside). You can use silver or metal bowls directly but the change of causing water spots after days of sitting water make it easier/safer to just insert a glass bowl and save yourself re-polishing later.
Instructions:
(If needed) polish up the silver/brass/bronze holding container. (Trick- store in a 2 lbs. ziplock bag when not in use to dramatically save need for future polishing).
Use Scotch tape to create a grid pattern over the top of the glass bowl.
Cut rose stems- starting with those that will drape around the edges and flare out. These will be longer.
Insert into the grid pattern so they stay tight where you put them, and are submerged enough in the water to stay hydrated for a day or two until you can top off the water.
Work your way in to the center, with the middle roses being the shortest and standing pretty much upright.
2 | Make a Mint Julep
The classic drink of the Derby, and an underrated one at that. It’s traditionally served in a silver or pewter cup, but that tradition restricts the everyday enjoyment and isn’t practical to invest in for the home bar. The deliciousness deserves a year-round reputation so drink in whatever makes you feel fancy.
Ingredients:
2 parts Kentucky Bourbon (anything else is just whiskey!)
Fresh mint
½ part Simple syrup
Crushed ice
Bitters (2 dashes) (optional)
Decorative toothpicks (totally optional-but always fun)
Instructions:
Make simple syrup by heating 1 cup water on the stovetop with 1 cup granulated sugar. Heat the water enough to dissolve the sugar, but not to a boil. Stir and let cool. (Can also be bought).
Muddle/crush 6-8 mint leaves and add to glass.
Fill glass with ice.
Add Bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters and stir.
Serve with a mint leave garnish.
1 | Make a Derby Hat
The Kentucky Derby is one of the only occasions that people are willing to don big hats. It’s too bad as it’s a lost fashion accessory, which makes it all the more reason to take advantage of this holiday.
That being said, it can be a hard step to buy an extravagant fascinator that you may only wear once and takes up a lot of space. Usually anything marketed as a Derby hat is also going to cheaply made and not of great quality. A creative alternative is using existing head ware and custom decorating it up to your personal style of extravagance, with the added benefit of having some great materials for your next craft.
Whether you have a beach hat, fedora, cowboy hat, or even a headband- it’s entirely possible to dress it up to look Derby-appropriate. Think netting, silk flowers, and don’t forgot about feathers.
Here are a few style tips:
Off center is key. Whatever the style- it should feel lop-sided.
Floral tape is a great way to adhere materials together (around flower stems, feather stems and floral wire can be used through netting and securing to a hard structure like a headband for example). Be sure to use a wire snips to avoid damaging a regular scissors.
If using a billed hat like a fedora, create a floral/feather grouping on one side, and secure to the hat with double sided fabric tape.
Supplies:
A hat you already have
Faux flowers (optional- check out your local craft store to see hundred of options)
Feathers (can be large, singular points of attention, or small and wispy for a cumulative effect. Here are some popular Derby options:
4 | Watch a family-friendly movie about the action
Disney’s Secretariat (2010) and Seabiscuit (2003) are both great options for the thrill of the race with a story behind it.
5 | Attend a Derby party at a local track trace
Now with the hat, you’ve got to find a place to show it off! If you live near a live track track, many host live Derby Parties with live horse racing on the day of, even if they’re just streaming the event. It’s still worth the fun and people watching and live shenanigans.
A Derby Party
Or if you’re up for it- host your friends and family for an outdoor watching party!
Sometimes the best way to ensure you have an event to attend, is to make it happen yourself. Here are a few ways to bring the best of the equestrian spirit to your patio or backyard.
6 | Benedictine Sandwiches
These finger sandwiches are a classic menu item at the Churchill Downs. Simple to make, they’re a great option when hosting. Another classic Derby sandwich- the Hot Brown, is equally delicious and a famous Kentucky delicacy, but it harder as a party food, as it requires making a bechamel sauce, and serving immediately. IF you’re celebrating solo or with your family- it’s worth trying. But to relax and host with grace, go with easy.
Ingredients:
Loaf white bread
8 oz. Cream cheese
1 Cucumber
¼ cup Onion
1 Tbsp. Mayonnaise
Instructions:
Cut the crusts off the bread.
Mince onion
Slice cucumber (absorbing as much moisture as possible with a paper towel)
Mix cream cheese, mayo, onion
Spread the mixture onto a slice of bread, arrange cucumber slices on top, and top with a another slice of bread.
Cut diagonally and cover until ready to serve.
7 | Southern charm pie style
The classic dessert served at the Derby is Derby Pie- which is a rich concoction of chocolate, walnuts, bourbon and gooey filling. If this sounds amazing to you, all power to you- go ahead and try it- there are many Derby Pie recipes out there to choose from. To me, it’s kind of like Hot Buttered Rum- it sounds delectable but ends with a stomach ache. I recommend another classic southern tradition that’s a favorite for a reason- good ole’ Pecan Pie. Make it yourself or let the grocery store do the baking for you- it’s hard to go wrong.
8 | A Dip Richer Than Its’ Name
Beer Cheese Dip is an iconic Kentucky favorite- a rich cheese dip for everything from veggies to crackers. For your party spread, you can pair with a veggie platter and baguette or cracker board. To change things up from boring boxed crackers- try pretzel rods, soft bagel cut into bite-sized pieces mini toasts.
Ingredients:
12 oz. Shredded cheddar cheese
1 Bottle of Your favorite beer
1 cup Whole milk or Half and half
3 Tbsp. Flour
2 Tbsp. Butter
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp. Garlic Powder
½ tsp. Smoked Paprika
Salt (to taste)
1 tsp. Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions:
Make a roux with the flour, butter and milk. (Melt the butter and soak up with the flour over low-medium heat about a minute. Then slowly add the milk, stirring constantly until it thickens and becomes smooth.)
Add in the beer, shredded cheese, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon Mustard, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, Salt and keep stirring throughout.
Remove from heat- it will thicken over a few minutes. Can be served warm or room temperature, so for the party it could be served as a fondue, in a mini crock pot or chafing dish, or reheated beforehand and just set out.
Equestrian Themed Party Games
Now with the food taken care of, it’s time for the fun and games. Offering a variety of activities is a great way for people to keep entertained and mingling, especially between races.
9 | Get Your Gamble On
Bring the thrill of live betting with a miniature race track in your home. We discovered this game a few years ago and our kids love it every time we break it out. Whether the play chips $ is on the line or wagers for chore duties, it’s al all around crowd pleaser for all ages.
10 | Horseshoes
The classic lawn game is especially appropriate at this annual tradition. There are affordable sets that are sure to last a long time. Otherwise, bean bag toss, giant Jenga tower, or any lawn game are good options too. You just want something for guests to have as a focal point.
11 | Name a horse
The act of naming a thoroughbred should not be reserved for horse owners. Let guests name themselves with Madlibs-inspired silliness below. They’ll get to don a nametag with the result, along with bragging rights for the most race-horse sounding concoction.
How to play:
Guest spins the wheel once, landing on a question they must answer.
Their answer becomes the first part of their thoroughbred name, and is written on a name tag.
They spin again, repeating the steps with the second question and answer. This second answer becomes the rest of their name.
For extra fun, have a voting contest to see who has the best name.
Supplies:
Dry erase /reusable spinner & marker
Adhesive Name tags or any blank sticker works
Set-Up:
Write-in these categories one for each wheel slice (each gets used twice)
Childhood pet’s name
Nickname growing up
Color of your first car
Favorite movie genre
Lease favorite word
Astrological sign
Birth month precious gem
Favorite animal
Favorite alcohol
Name of street you live on
The last place you vacationed
On each name tags, write in two blank spots separated with either connector convention:
___________’s ____________
___________ by ____________
Place the wheel and nametags somewhere guests will see when they arrive and be prepared for ridiculous outcomes.
12 | Livestream The Event
A Derby watching party would not be complete without a viewing of Churchill Downs to cheer on. The main race for which the entire day earns its’ name, also known by “The Run of the Roses”- is not until race #12, towards the end of the full day’s events. The full program streams on various platforms. Check your local listings to see where to best stream.
For hosting a larger group, or wanting a season-long solution, another option is actually mounting a TV in your outdoor space. We did this with an older tv that we weren’t using, and it’s been going strong for 6 summer/falls now- even in Minnesota where there’s plenty humidity. Just make sure it’s mounted under an alcove or something to prevent direct rain and weather.
You can buy water-proof tvs but they’re wildly expensive in the thousands of dollars. For an older non-smart tv- you’ll need a Firestick or Roku (turns your tv into a smart tv), but more modern tvs just need a wifi signal, which is usually plenty strong from your router. If you have a large backyard and the entertaining space is a ways away, you might benefit from a wifi booster. All in all, it’s still a very affordable solution for great outdoor viewings.
Supplies:
Bluetooth speaker
An unused or older TV
Adjustable tv mount
Roku or Firestick (only if not a smart-tv)
Wifi booster (only if needed)