Kentucky Derby Party Checklist

You don't have to make the trip to Churchill Downs or even Louisville to experience the Kentucky Derby. Play your own Derby party with these suggestions for food, cocktails, decorations, and games.

Your Derby party will not be complete without the iconic Classic Mint Julep.
Your Derby party will not be complete without the iconic Classic Mint Julep.


























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Head-to-Toe Kentucky Derby Fashion Guide
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Food

Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie
Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

























There are a few essentials you must serve at your Derby party. Not only are these recipes traditional fare for the Derby, but they are delicious, too!


Cocktails

Classic Mint Julep
Classic Mint Julep

























The mint julep is the iconic drinks of the Kentucky Derby. Serve it in a silver julep cup for a traditional presentation.


Decorations























Take your cue from the Kentucky Derby's nickname, the Run for the Roses, and decorate with the classic flower. Rose and boxwood topiaries make great centerpieces or small tabletop decorations. You can either buy topiary forms and simply place them in a suitable container, or you can make one yourself with plastic foam balls and wooden dowels. Once you have bought or made the form, simply stick pieces of boxwood into the plastic foam. You can either make a tight arrangement by cutting the boxwood pieces the same length and placing them close together, or you can vary the length of the boxwood pieces for a looser, more natural arrangement. Then add red roses into the plastic foam for a pop of color and a Derby accent.

Fill traditional silver julep cups with red roses for a small-scale arrangement.

Use brightly colored tablecloths and napkins as a nod to the jockey's colorful uniforms, called silks.

Related Article: 48 Hours in Louisville

Attire

A fashionable new hat is a necessity at the Kentucky Derby.
A fashionable new hat is a necessity at the Kentucky Derby.

























It just wouldnt be right to wear jeans and a T-shirt to a Kentucky Derby party, unless you were going for the relaxed, tailgating atmosphere of the infield. Follow our Head-to-Toe Kentucky Derby Fashion Guide to dress the part.

Related Article: Catch the Races at Keeneland

Invitations
The official Kentucky Derby Web site allows party planners to create and send e-vites.
You can also do it the old-fashioned way and send invitations by mail. Find a variety or Derby-inspired choices at Polka Dot Design. Our favorites: the Derby Clothinginvitation and the Horse RaceInvitation, both by Odd Balls.

Programs
Order official Kentucky Derby Programs so your guests really feel like they're at the races.

Games

The actual race only takes two minutes, so plan a few Derby-inspired games to extend your party and keep your guests entertained before and after the race.

  • Hat Contest: Ask your guests to wear hats to your party and encourage creativity by offering a prize for best hat. Award the winner with a homemade Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie or a bottle of bourbon so they can take home a little taste of the Kentucky Derby.

  • Game of Luck: Let each guest draw a horse's name out of a hat to cheer for during the race. The guest paired with the winning horse wins a prize. Up the ante by making the price a Jockey Silks Scarf for women or the Off to the Race Bow Tie for men from Vineyard Vines, The Official Style of the Kentucky Derby.

  • For the Kids: Set up a game of horseshoes in the yard, or have the kids bring their own stick horses for their very own Run for the Roses.


Article by Jennifer Beeler

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