Latest news with #Derby-themed
Axios
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Leave your hat on for SLC's Kentucky Derby parties
Folks in Salt Lake are dusting off the fancy hats and ironing their pastels for Saturday's Kentucky Derby. Reality check: We can't bet. But we can dress, and we can drink (sort of). How it works:"Post time" — when the horses are supposed to be at their gates — is at 4:57pm. Coverage begins at 12:30pm on NBC. The parties: The big bash at La Caille is sold out — but you can join a waitlist. Don't worry — there are lots of options. 🚵 Ride along with Journalism, Sovereignty and Sandman — with the advantage of wheels — at the Derby-themed Tour de Brewtah. Decorate yourself or your bike for prizes, snap a pic with a horseshoe of roses and pick a "race course" of breweries to visit. Be mindful: You can get a DUI on a bike under Utah law. (A horse, by contrast, is not a "device" for DUI purposes, per the Utah Supreme Court.) When: Starts at 10am Tickets: $30 🍹 The Derby Day party at Lake Effect includes a buffet, hat contest, photo ops, specialty cocktails, DJ'd music, a multi-screen race experience and the highest honor that winter-sportsy Utah could bestow on the state of Kentucky: a Woodford Reserve ice luge. 🍃 Grand America 's Derby Day fundraiser brings live music, treats and tipples to the lawn, with race-watching and commentary on the terrace — plus best-dressed prizes.
Fox News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Everything you need to throw a Kentucky Derby watch party
The iconic 151st running of the 2025 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 3, and feature thoroughbreds competing over a distance of 1.25 miles. The Derby also serves as the first leg of the Triple Crown series. Steeped in tradition, it is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, fashionable attire and star-studded attendees. The Derby is often called "the greatest two minutes in sports," but it's more than just a horse race. The premier event held at the famed Churchill Downs has become one of the most coveted social events of our time. If you can't attend in person, it's become a tradition to throw a watch party - and this year, you can stream the Derby live on Peacock. To organize your own gathering, consider Evite as your first stop. The online invitation platform offers customizable Derby-themed templates, making sending and managing RSVPs easy. Complete the party with traditional touches like big hats and mint juleps. Grab your fascinator, mix up an ice-cold julep and elevate your Kentucky Derby watch party with these 10 items. Original price: $22.99 This comprehensive set includes disposable paper plates, cups and napkins, all adorned with a "Run for the Roses" horse racing motif. Designed to serve 24 guests, it simplifies your party planning by providing coordinated tableware that captures the spirit of the Derby. Don't forget to add these Fun Express plastic mint julep cups for your signature drink! You can get these items delivered to your door ASAP if you're an Amazon Prime member. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to begin your shopping today. Featuring vibrant horse racing designs, these disposable plastic tablecloths protect your tables while adding a festive touch. Each pack contains three tablecloths measuring 54 inches by 108 inches, suitable for standard tables. These "Talk Derby to Me" centerpieces are the perfect accent for your tables! Add an interactive element to your gathering with this set of 90 scratch-off cards. Guests can participate in a fun game, revealing either "winner" or "loser" messages, making it an engaging activity during the event. You can also get guests in the competitive spirit with a friendly game of Derby bingo! These 16-ounce officially licensed plastic cups come in a pack of eight and feature the official logo of the Kentucky Derby. Their sturdy construction ensures a spill-free experience for your guests, whether they're enjoying a soft drink, a draft beer or a julep! If you plan on having kids at your party, grab these Fun Express horse cups so they can partake in the theme too! If you're planning to DIY your own centerpieces with flowers, enhance your table decor with this Umoni set of 17 centerpiece sticks. Featuring various horse racing elements, the sticks are easy to assemble and add a thematic flair when placed in vases or containers. Your drinks need a decorative element too besides that essential sprig of mint. Consider these budget-friendly derby drink stakes that'll show your astute attention to detail. Original price: $9.99 Alert all your guests to where the Kentucky Derby watch party is with this massive outdoor banner. The decorative 12-inch by 71-inch banner features horse racing imagery. Made of durable polyester, it's easy to hang and can withstand moderate outdoor winds and weather, adding a celebratory ambiance before they ever step foot in the door! If you're looking for an indoor banner, consider this 7-foot by 5-foot photo backdrop, which doubles as decor and is a spot to take some great shots to share on social media! Capture memorable moments with this 55-piece set of photo booth props, including hats, glasses and signs themed around the Derby. These fun accessories encourage guests to take festive photos, creating lasting memories. Make the experience authentic and guests feel like they're actually there with this Churchill Downs wall hanging in the background! You can't craft the quintessential Bourbon-based beverage without a mint julep cocktail toolkit. Cocktail Kit 2 Go kit includes a mint elixir, sugar cubes, cocktail recipe and muddler spoon, ensuring you have the necessary tools to make this classic drink. Don't forget the Evan Williams Mint Julep mix and this tin sign emblazoned with the recipe, which would be a fun touch for your makeshift bar. Horse racing and hats go hand in hand. Encourage guests to embrace Derby fashion with this colorful assortment of six fascinators. Whether you opt for this or the classic floppy wide-brimmed style, these hats add an element of fun and authenticity to your event. If a hat's not really your style, this themed headband is a fun nod to the triple crown. For more deals, visit If you plan to host an outdoor soirée, take a look at this GoSports lawn derby dice game. Players choose a horse and take turns rolling the giant dice to move their horse forward. Whichever horse comes in first wins! If you're looking for some indoor fun, this board game will do the trick, adding a competitive and entertaining aspect to any gathering.
Axios
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Axios
The first Virginia Derby as a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby is this weekend
The Virginia Derby, Colonial Downs ' first horse race as a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby, is on Saturday. Why it matters: The event promises to offer locals an annual slice of the legendary Kentucky Derby, right here at home. The big picture: Live horse racing at Colonial Downs has made big strides since 2022, the year Churchill Downs Inc. — the parent company of the famed Kentucky Derby — bought the track. Under the new ownership, and with enthusiastic support from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Colonial Downs added three big-deal horse races to the season, moved live racing to weekends (from weekdays at 1:30pm) and expanded the food and drink offerings. This year, the New Kent track will also host its longest live racing season in recent history: 44 days, up from 27 days last year. Youngkin's announcement last year that the winner of the Virginia Derby would earn an automatic spot in the 151st Kentucky Derby was the biggest and most exciting for the track yet. Among the horses to watch this weekend, according to Colonial Downs: Getaway Car, who is trained by Bob Baffert, a two-time Triple Crown winner and six-time Kentucky Derby winner. American Promise, the son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify and trained by four-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Virginia-born Omaha Omaha, who was born at Chance Farm in Gordonsville and will be running his first race in Virginia. More important than the horses, of course, is the Derby-themed fun, which on Saturday includes: 🥃 Mint Juleps, which will be available for purchase 👒 Funky hats, which are encouraged 🤑 Horse betting, which is fully legal in Virginia 🎸Plus, live music by '80s cover band The Deloreans Yes, but: The Virginia Derby sold out early Wednesday, all 8,000-plus tickets. But, but, but: More live races at Colonial Downs will be run on Thursday and Friday to kick off race weekend. Tickets are available for both. Races start at 12:30pm both days and general admission is free. Or locals can wait for Colonial Downs' summer season, which starts July 9. What they're saying:"Colonial Downs is becoming a destination for premier racing in our region, and this sellout proves that we're just scratching the surface of what we can do here in the Commonwealth," Frank Hopf, the track's senior director of racing operations, said in a statement. The bottom line: Virginia is now an important part of the Kentucky Derby, so we should all consider investing in a super fly derby hat.
