Get your hats and mint juleps ready, the Kentucky Derby takes place on May 1st. Now, I’m not a huge fan of the race itself but I love the pomp and ceremony that goes along with it. The bold outfits and hats, a specialty cocktail, warm southern weather and those horse names. For fun, I’ll pick a favorite horse each year but it’s 100% based on how much I like the name and has zero to do with if I think the horse will win the race. A couple of years ago my chosen horse was Long Range Toddy, this coming weekend I think I’ll root for Midnight Bourbon.
Mount Your Horses
This time of year, as the weather struggles to switch from cold to warm and flowers are just starting to bloom, I look for any reason (at all) to be outside, to see friends and to have fun. I love the idea of a Kentucky Derby celebration, whether it’s a big party where everyone dresses in their Sunday best or an intimate gathering. Here are suggestions to have some fun with the Kentucky Derby this year:
Get your bartending skills in order and make some mint juleps.
The classic drink calls for simple syrup, crushed ice, fresh mint leaves and bourbon. A strong little concoction! Have some mint water or a virgin version on hand to alternate between. (Note: I found clapping my hands while holding the mint leaves is a good way to release the flavor while keeping the leaves whole.) Did you know about 120,000 mint juleps are served each year at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby weekend?
Get to know the horses in the race.
Head to www.kentuckyderby.com to view the top 24 horses coming into the race. You can see the odds for each horse and if you click on the horse name they’ll give you a quick bio. For instance, Midnight Bourbon is ranked number 9 on the leader board, and is a bay colt that was born in Kentucky in 2018. Did you know that the Triple Crown races restrict participation to horses 3 years of age?
Make your own Kentucky Derby sunhat, fascinator or headband.
Have an old hat you don’t wear anymore? Add some jewels, feathers, ribbon or bows. I had a white, fabric fedora-type hat that I hadn’t worn in years, I cut along the seam at the top, which created a flat tear-drop shape and hot glued pearl beads, feathers and flowers. I used some bobby pins to attach it to my head and was in business. You can create yours ahead of time or set-up a craft table and make it a party activity.
Throw a party.
Encourage everyone to dress with flair. Decorate with roses, sterling silver, mint julep cups, bright spring colors and equestrian themed accessories. Distribute Monopoly money as guests arrive, designate a bookie and allow guests to make wagers on the race.
Attend a party.
Channel some Southern charm and bring a hostess gift. Flowers (already in a vase), Kentucky Bourbon, a set of mint julep cups or clever cocktail napkins are all a good idea.
Have hobbyhorse races.
Set-up a track in your yard, determine the rules and get racing! Bonus points for dressing like a jockey.
Speak like a Southerner
Incorporate some Southern-esque phrases into your vocabulary for the day. Here are some ideas:
- Bless your heart
- I reckon
- Pretty as a peach
- Well, I declare
- Hush your mouth
- Give me some sugar
- Y’all
- Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit
- Darn tootin’
- Tarnation
Any excuse to take a normal Saturday and make it a little more festive and fun is always a good idea in my book. If you celebrate on May 1st take some pictures and tag me on Instagram (@enchantedconservatory), I’d love to join in on your fun.
XOXO
P.S. As with any sport involving animals, their wellbeing is always a concern. Last year the USA signed into law the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which helps ensure uniform safety standards.
