The Kentucky Derby is a hugely popular broadcast event, attracting millions of in-person and virtual viewers each year to watch the race live. According to recent reports from Comcast, the event attracts an average of 16 million viewers annually. Filled with pomp, circumstance and tradition, the Kentucky Derby is a fashion-forward event that is anticipated annually by sports fanatics, horse racing enthusiasts, socialites, gambling enthusiasts, fashionistas and partygoers. If you’re interested in having some fun and wondering how to host a Kentucky Derby party, we can help.
The centerpiece of the Derby is known as the “Run for the Roses” and is often referred to as “the greatest two minutes in sport”. In this article, we’ll show you how to host a Kentucky Derby party that turns those two heartbreaking minutes into an engaging event that friends, family, coworkers, and other guests are sure to love.
How to throw a Kentucky Derby party that your guests will rave about!
The Kentucky Derby is an annual event that is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs Race Course in Louisville, Kentucky. The game is a great excuse to watch the game with friends and family, enjoy delicious snacks, sip classic cocktails, play games and celebrate Derby Day traditions. Follow our simple steps to throw the Kentucky Derby party of your dreams.
1. Book a party venue
Host a Kentucky Derby party at the location of your choice. Host Derby Day in your home, backyard, private estate, bar, restaurant or any special event venue that can be live streamed. But keep in mind that wedding season usually lasts from late spring to early fall. Demand for local event venues can be high over May weekends, which may result in a shortage of venues.
If you’re interested in hosting a Kentucky Derby party at an event venue, start your search early so you can find and secure an event space on race day. Confirm the venue’s event policies, restrictions, food and beverage options, same-day service, available audio-visual equipment and streaming capabilities before booking. Secure event space and vendor services early to avoid last-minute party hassles.
2. Determine the clothing requirements for the event
Establish a clothing style and dress code for your Kentucky Derby party. The event is known for its bold and eye-catching fashion. Each year, spectators don festive hats, stylish headpieces, eye-catching gowns and full seersucker suits. What style of party do you want?
- Do you want to be alluring or embrace country club chic?
- Is the dress code casual or formal?
- Will the party feel laid-back or upscale?
As with most parties, guests at a derby-themed party will most likely follow the host’s lead. If you want your party guests to go all out, encourage them to dress up by showing that you’re happy to do the same.
Also, consider that some of your guests may not have attended a derby party before, or may have never heard of the event. Be ready to provide your guests with inspiration and ideas for party outfits. Create a Facebook event page or website for the event. Provide links to apparel ideas and an overview of Derby Day traditions for attendees who may not be familiar with game day protocols.
3. Choose a color scheme
Choose a color scheme to use when planning and hosting a Kentucky Derby party. Determine a cohesive color scheme that you can rely on when selecting party decorations, invitations, and other party elements that create the overall event design. Traditional spectator derby colors are black, white or navy. Classic pallets are always in style; they create a neutral base that allows colorful accessories, like a tote or hat, to really pop.
If you’re looking for a more exciting color scheme, embrace modern derby fashion. Fashion for the 2022 Kentucky Derby is largely inspired by the bold colors and styles of the 1970s. The audience wore eye-popping colors such as cobalt blue, hot pink, bright orange and vivid yellow. Instead of donning traditional suits and jumpsuits, many guests chose to fully embrace ’70s fashion, wearing stylish jumpsuits and jumpsuits at the event.
4. Send themed invitations that set the stage for the event
Choose themed invitations that set the tone and energy for your Kentucky Derby party. In addition to providing important details about the date, location, and time of the party, invitees should also know what to expect at the event. Use your invitations to express the style of your event.
In your Kentucky Derby party invitation, outline any Derby Day clothing requirements, entertainment, or transportation information that guests may find helpful. Send a friendly email reminder when event RSVPs are due, and include a fun photo to fan the flames of excitement. Include pictures of costume ideas or event decorations; showcase a craft cocktail menu or give guests a sneak peek of your top party hats.
5. Prepare your Derby Day decorations
Bring the racetrack into a Derby Day event by adding party decorations so guests feel like they’re actually at Churchill Downs. Welcome guests with a hanging banner or horseshoe garland. Add a pop of color by placing an artificial grass tablecloth on the snack table. Create a stunning centerpiece with a statue of a jockey as the star. Use seersucker fabric, taffeta, ribbons, and other unique textiles to add depth and texture to your party decorations.
Additionally, the rose is the ultimate Derby Day decoration; it is the official flower of the event. Each year, the winners of the Kentucky Derby are draped in a stunning, fragrant blanket of 554 lush red roses to celebrate their victory. Incorporate roses into your Kentucky Derby party decorations with flush flower arrangements, rose garlands, or rich red rose garlands.
6. Design a Kentucky Derby-themed menu
Whether you’re hosting a casual Derby Day event with canapés and delicious appetizers, or a formal buffet with fine dining options, we recommend adding traditional Derby Day dishes to your menu, such as:
- benedictine spread: Benedictine sauce, a Kentucky Derby tradition, is a delicious dipping sauce made with dill, onions, cream cheese and cucumbers. Benedictine sauce is a fresh and vibrant take on a classic, served with crackers, vegetables or freshly baked bread. Holiday hosts may choose to add a few drops of green food dye to the dish to add a touch of Derby style to the dip.
- Hot brown: A unique take on the classic Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich, an open-faced sandwich invented in Kentucky in 1926. Put your Derby Day spin on a crowd-pleaser by using a sweet bun, adding pimento cheese, or filling the buns with delicious toppings to create warm brown sliders.
- Pecan Pie: Add bite-sized Derby Pies to your party menu for a delicious treat for your guests. Kentucky Derby party hosts use bourbon, pecan pie and semi-sweet chocolate chips to bring guests a taste of southern Kentucky.
Each year, Churchill Downs offers a variety of staples for the game. Kentucky bourgo and shrimp dip are just two of the most popular appetizers at the Kentucky Derby every year. Guests can also enjoy more casual Kentucky-style bites such as smoked grits, pimento cheese dip, beef tenderloin sandwiches or deli cups.
7. Create a classic cocktail menu
The Mint Julep is a traditional cocktail at the Kentucky Derby. Nearly 120,000 mint juleps are sold and consumed at the major horse racing event at Churchill Downs each May, according to the event group. Simple and refreshing, the Mint Chill Cocktail is a cocktail that’s both delicious and easy to make for your guests. With just three ingredients: bourbon, simple syrup, and fresh mint, hosts can quickly whip up a delicious mint julep.
A variety of drinks are available for guests to choose from. Create a cocktail menu that offers guests two to three classic cocktails to choose from, such as:
- martini
- gin and tonic
- cosmopolitan
- old fashioned
- whiskey sour
- screwdriver
- manhattan
- Daiquiri
There are some non-alcoholic drinks on the menu for guests to enjoy. Impress and refresh your thirsty guests by whipping up delicious mocktails, such as a Pina Colada, or serving fresh smoothies and seasonal juices.
8. Incorporate game day traditions
Entertain guests at your Kentucky Derby party with activities inspired by Derby Day events and traditions, like betting on the game! Each guest is invited to draw a name from a hat and a competing horse is randomly assigned. After the competition, the guest who selects the winning horse will receive a prize to take home.
Save money by creating DIY slips or ordering pre-made slips from sites like Etsy. Organizers can also use the gambling calculator provided by America’s Best Racing to help the more serious betters track their races.
9. Plan family-friendly Derby Day entertainment
If you’re hosting a family-friendly Kentucky Derby party, have a Derby-themed event that guests of all ages can enjoy. Create a “make your own hat” station stocked with cardboard, newspaper, tape, fabric, sequins, ribbon, and artificial flowers. Hold a hat-making contest and vote for the winner.
Attract creative guests by setting up an outdoor space where guests can paint their own silks. Silk is what jockeys wear during horse racing to represent their bran. Younger guests can express themselves while enjoying painting helmet caps and T-shirts with easy-to-clean fabric paint.
Guests are encouraged to participate in outdoor lawn games while waiting at the Kentucky Derby Silk Station. Host a stick race for kids or set up a rubber horseshoe pit for an outdoor event.
10. Get ready to go live
Test, double-test, and triple-test your streaming service or TV connection before the party starts. Make sure all streaming devices (AV cords, cable connections, devices, etc.) are set up and ready to go. Make sure your connection to the broadcast is strong, whether you’re watching live on IPTV or streaming over the Internet. If you are hosting a Kentucky Derby party at an event venue, keep contact information for maintenance or technical services in case any issues arise on the day of the event. We also recommend using backup AV cables and having a “Plan B” to stream live events, just in case.
Now you know how to throw a Kentucky Derby party!
After you create a simple ten-step plan, you can start planning a Kentucky Derby party that your guests will talk about for years to come. The Kentucky Derby is held in early May; this gives partygoers a few months of warm weather for future fun events.
Ahead, we’ve got unique event ideas for party planners and hosting enthusiasts to inspire a summer filled with festivities. Join us as we explore 18 creative summer event themes for parties and other events.
