The Recipe for the Perfect Derby Watch Party

The Kentucky Derby is the longest held sporting event in America. Held annually on the first Saturday in May, Louisville will welcome thousands to the city to enjoy the 150th derby. This race is the first leg in the famous American Triple Crown series, which is a prestigious set of races in which it is a rarity for one horse to win all three. The derby is a 1.25 mile race which usually lasts for about two minutes. However, the festivities surrounding the event start well before and last long after the last horse crosses the finish line. 

 

This year’s Kentucky Derby will be even more special than years prior, which is why many people are making exciting plans to celebrate the event. Between food, beverage, themed attire, games, music, and decorations, there are many things to take into consideration when planning the perfect derby day watch party. 

 

For the Kentucky Derby, popular dish choices include traditional southern cuisine, hors d’oeuvres, and dessert. In addition, bourbon inspired dishes like meatballs and pies are all the rage. Hosts can pair these with creative cocktails and mocktails to create the perfect blend of Kentuckian culture. During the derby days, if one doesn’t have a desire or ability to cook, many local restaurants offer catering for watch parties and gatherings. Popular places like Feast BBQ, Against the Grain Catering, J. Gumbo’s, and Wild Eggs are known for their Kentucky Derby watch party catering services. Alternatively, hosts may choose to make their event more of a potluck style so that guests have the opportunity to bring some of their own favorite dishes.

 

Fashion is a big part of Kentucky Derby culture, and it has a rich history of chic styles and classy attire. Even those that cannot attend the derby in person will sometimes choose to dress on theme anyway. The standard for women is often sundresses, flowy dresses, cotton skirts, and the iconic oversized hat. For the men, suits, bowties, khakis, are the norm. The key here is bright colors and elegant garments, preparing guests for a beautiful spring day. Setting this theme for a watch party helps to get people in the mood for the derby festivities.

 

Having themed music playing during watch parties is another element to consider. Some popular hits include “My Old Kentucky Home”, “Run for the Roses” and “Bourbon in Kentucky” which are all classics from the very land on which the derby is held. These tunes in combination with decorations can be the cherry on top of the perfect derby watch party. The most common decor elements for these types of parties are roses or silk flowers, as well as horse figurines or related horse paraphernalia.

 

The time has come to send the invitations. Once food, drink, theme, and ambiance is set, the final step is to invite the guests. Whether its family, friends, or neighbors, the perfect derby watch party is not complete without a group to celebrate with. Come one, come all to enjoy one of the most famous sporting events in American history.