There are few sporting events that capture the imagination more so than the Kentucky Derby. The big race at Churchill Downs captivates a global audience, with millions of dollars wagered on the opening Triple Crown race in the United States alone.
However, attending the race at Churchill Downs can often be an expensive venture, especially if you wish to gain the best vantage point of the action taking place on track. Therefore, a growing number of fans are looking to throw Kentucky Derby parties for the 2023 edition, which will be staged on Saturday, May 6. But, what tips should you follow in order to ensure it is a memorable experience?
Specific Invites
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most perfect opportunities to throw a themed party. The best way to get into the mood is by sending specific invites that are tailored to the event that you are throwing. That includes mentioning that the party if for the Kentucky Derby on the invite and including whether guests should get dressed up as if they are actually attending the race day event.
Set A Dress Code
Going to the Kentucky Derby means taking into account what you will wear for the day out. Fashion is a massive part in the history of the great race, and many themed parties take that into account, ensuring that there is a dress code that should be followed. That includes whether guests should wear floral colours and hats, just as those in attendance at Churchill Downs will be. However, there is no specific requirement on this, as you could take a more dressed-down approach to the big day.
Decoration
All themed parties need their specific decorations, and the Kentucky Derby is no different. There are a number of key decorations that will be required to throw the perfect Kentucky Derby party, and those include roses; after all, the race is nicknamed the ‘run for the roses’. Therefore, roses should be a common theme across your decorations for the event, while you can also find other horse-specific decorations for paper plates and cups, which will help those in attendance get closer to the action and have the Derby feel leading up to the Grade 1.
Set Up The TV
The party is all about the Kentucky Derby, so you should make sure that everything is set up for the big race in good time before the race gets underway. Luckily, the Kentucky Derby is just one of a number of races staged on Saturday, May 6, which means that you can set up the television with the required stream before guests arrive, ensuring that the action lives from Churchill Downs is on throughout the day.
It is also encouraged to set a timer or an alarm to alert guests when there are ten minutes to go before the start of the Kentucky Derby. You can also make friendly bets between you and the guests of your party: learn more about how to bet on horse racing here.
Set Up A Quiz
Before the big race gets underway, you can set up a quiz or another fun game to get your guests in the Kentucky Derby spirit. You can list off facts to surprise your visitors with your knowledge of the famous race, and that will give a great lever of insightfulness surrounding the scale of the race before it starts. You can also print off a list of stats to enable guests to read them while they are waiting for the race to start.
Prepare Mint Juleps
There are few ways to get into the mood better than enjoying the signature Derby drink, a Mint Julep. It has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1938, and no Derby party is complete without it. The drink is made up of crushed ice, bourbon, sugar, fresh mint and water.
