Gettin’ Lucky in Kentucky

The 135th Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, and it’s the perfect excuse to invite friends for the first party of the summer.  Keep it casual with cocktails & appetizers, and put a spin on tradition by using a “lucky horseshoe” as the visual logo for the party from the invitations to the decor.

The Invite

These cute invites, designed by Lemon Tree Paperie, work perfectly with our horseshoe motif.  Since coverage of the race begins on NBC at 5:00pm CST, request that guests arrive at 3:00pm to provide plenty of time to eat, drink, & make their wagers before getting down to business.  The parade of hats at Churchill Downs is an age-old tradition, and you simply cannot have a Kentucky Derby party without requesting on the invitation that female guests don their best chapeau for the occasion.

The Main Event

I admit, I’m clueless when it comes to horse racing.  But I’ll find all the info I need to wager with the best of ‘em on the racing site, Brisnet.com, including BRIS Early & Late Pace Ratings.  (Apparently, the higher the number, the faster the horse.  Looks like I have some studying to do before Saturday!)

If your guests really get into the spirit of the Derby (or they’ve had one too many Mint Juleps), print out lyrics so everyone can join in when the horses step up for the post parade and the band strikes up “My Old Kentucky Home.”

The Decor

You’ll need all the good luck you can get this Saturday, so repeat the horseshoe symbol throughout the decor.

Sarah Hicks Malone cleverly incorporated this theme for her birthday party by using simple horseshoe cut-outs on the bar and at each place setting.

She sent a bit of luck home with her guests with these adorable favors:  clear bags of horseshoe-shaped chocolates from The Chocolate Vault.

Provide some old-fashioned fun by setting up a game of horseshoes in the backyard.

The Menu

This party is all about Southern comfort food like shrimp, grits, and fried green tomatoes, with a refreshing Mint Julep to wash it all down.  Here are the recipes you’ll need to make it happen:

Kentucky Derby Creamy Cheddar Grits Souffle

All You Can Eat Shrimp with Green Onion, Garlic, & BBQ Spices

Mint Julep

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Walnut-Cream Cheese Frosting

It’s only fitting that my Kentucky Derby post conclude with this gorgeous inspiration board posted on Snippet & Ink.  The designer’s lovely description of her elegant concept: “Roses, mint juleps, ladies in hats and men in seersucker suits… Embellish bouquets with prize ribbons and use trophies or silver julep cups as vases for centerpieces.”