21 Ideas for a Great Kentucky Derby Party
May 7th 2016 will be the This Saturday will be the 142nd running of The Kentucky Derby. What better idea for getting your friends and family around for a fun gathering, than celebrating The Derby? You can check out some of my Derby party plans here and here. I wanted to bring you 21 great ideas for your own Kentucky Derby celebration!
1. Use brown sugar to make a racetrack on an astroturf-covered table.
Photo: Save the Date for Cupcakes
2. Make derby horse cookies. I love how Norene Cox created these cute little horses out of Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies. 
Photo: Party Pinching
3. Use ribbon to make your dinner plates look like a winning ribbon!
Photo: The Polo House
4. Offer up your guests a variety of Kentucky Bourbons for tasting.
Photo: The Polo House
5. Decorate your door with a derby-themed wreath!
Photo: Horse Wreaths on Etsy
6. Send out some perfectly appropriate invitations.
Photo: Announcing It
7. Use some really cool postage on your invitations.
Photo: Treasured Invitations
8. Mix up some Mint Juleps, the traditional drink of The Kentucky Derby!
Photo: The Food Network
9. Make some Benedictine Cheese tea sandwiches, a traditional Kentucky Derby food.
Photo: Babble.com
9. Get crafty with these fun Kentucky Derby printables!
Photo: Polka Dot Chair
10. Serve up some of these roasted brown-butter pecans with rosemary.
Photo: Southern Living
11. Dress up with a special hat for Derby Day!
Photo: The Track Philosopher
12. Serve up beautiful and delicious derby-themed cake. I love this one all decked with red roses.
13. Deck your party table with all kinds of Kentucky Derby napkins and plates. There are all kinds of sources for these, but Party City is a great place to start.
Photo: Party City
14. Create a really special centerpiece for your derby party, like this molded and moss covered horse. Nestle him in a bed of red roses to keep the theme going.
Photo: Au Courant Floral
15. Serve up a Derby Pie!
Photo: The Polohouse
16. Serve up Kentucky Hot Browns, the delicious open-face sandwich made with turkey, bacon and Mornay sauce, first served at The Brown Hotel in Lousiville.
Photo: Parade by Conde Nast
17. Give your guests tiny bottles of Kentucky-made Maker’s Mark as favors at your party.
Photo: Setting the Mood
18. Decorate the back of your chairs with big homemade rosettes.
Photo: The Polohouse
19. Make some cute horse-blanket drink holders, and everyone can cheer for the horse with their number!
Photo: Rent Cafe
20. Have some fun games! How about a cornhole game with the game painted like Kentucky Derby jockey silks.
Photo: Kentucky Derby Store
21. Add a little derby dash to your glasses by tying on a little horseshoe to each stem.
Bonus:
Make a Kentucky Derby themed wreath to welcome guests to the party! You can get the step by step directions at How to Make a Kentucky Derby Wreath. Whatever you do, or whatever ideas you incorporate for your Kentucky Derby celebration, watch the big show and have a fun time!
Hi Chloe,
Love your ideas! We are planning a Taste of Derby Party and I love your cupcake table. Can you share how you made the fence for your table scape? Thanks
Hi Chloe!
I have a request!
The photo you have here with the “Oh My Derby Pie” is mine.
My friend and I staged a home for a house tour and used a derby day theme.
Can you please change the credit to The Polohouse?
I would really appreciate it.
Thanks so much,
Alison 🙂
So sorry, Alison! All updated!
Chloe, may I have the recipe for the tea sandwiches? They sound delicious.
Good day,
Could you please tell me how you made the beautiful horse centerpiece?
Thank you,
Carol Rolston
Carol, If you click on the links beneath the photos, they will take you to the originators of those photos.