Plan Ahead
Up to 2 Months Before
Up to 1 Month Ahead
- Make Chocolate-Bourbon Balls. (These are best made at least 4 days ahead.)
Up to 2 Days Before
- Make Parmesan Cheese Ball, and shape into a horseshoe shape; store tightly covered in refrigerator.
- Make Tangy Poppy Seed Dressing for Strawberry-Jicama Toss; store tightly covered in refrigerator.
The Day Before
- Make Cucumber-Dill Mousse; store covered in mold in refrigerator.
- Make Cheesy Grits up to the point of baking; store covered in the refrigerator.
- Make Asparagus Vinaigrette; store covered in refrigerator.
- Prepare fruits and veggies for Strawberry-Jicama Toss; store separately and tightly covered in refrigerator.
- Make Kentucky Pecan Pie; store covered in refrigerator.
About 3 Hours Before Serving
- Bake Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze.
The Morning Of
- Unmold mousse onto serving platter; store covered in refrigerator.
- Make White Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.
About 1 Hour Before Guests Arrive
- Bake Cheesy Grits.
- Remove biscuits from freezer.
When Guests Arrive
- Serve beverages and appetizers.
About 15 Minutes Before Serving the Meal
- Heat biscuits in aluminum foil at 400°F for about 5 minutes or until warm.
Just Before Serving the Meal
- Complete Strawberry-Jicama Toss.
Party Guide
At-the-Gate Invitations
- The Kentucky Derby is always the first Saturday in May.
- Check your local TV schedule for the exact time of the Run for the Roses. Plan your party around that time, serving dinner either before or after.
- Add horse, horseshoe or rose stickers to purchased invitations, or make invitations using computer clipart.
Rosy Derby Decorations
- Buy bulk roses--as many as you dare--to fill vases throughout your party area. Or place single red roses in several locations. They can be great mementos for party goers, as well.
- A collection of derby memorabilia makes great centerpiece material. Or if the memorabilia isn’t readily available, check travel agents or stores for posters. Learn more about the Kentucky Derby at www.kentuckyderby.com and the Kentucky Derby Festival at www.kdf.org.
- Made-to-scale horses, available at toy stores, can be used in centerpieces or arranged next to the vases of roses.
- If you show horses, this is your chance to display your ribbons, photos and medals. Jockey silks, saddles and other tack make good decorations, too.
Off-to-the-Races Activities
Thoroughbred Fun
- Pin the name of a race contender (or use famous winners) on the back of each guest. Party goers have to guess who they are by asking questions of other guests.
- Hold a lively discussion of the horses, jockeys or trainers. Do your homework, and have an official program available for referral.
- Play Pin the Tail on the Thoroughbred. It’s the classic game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey with a Kentucky twist! Pin an enlarged photocopy of a horse on a wall for the target.
Party On
- Viewing the two-minute race is important. A large-screen TV is helpful, or consider having several TVs for easier viewing.
- Be sure to gather everyone just before the big race on TV to sing "My Old Kentucky Home" along with the huge crowd gathered in Kentucky! Or play a CD or tape.
- Host a hat contest; be sure to include it in the "dress code" section of your party invitation. Have camera in hand to capture this fun event. Or include hat making as an activity! Provide wrapping paper and newspapers to shape into hats, with glue guns and tape to secure. Decorate hats with ribbon, buttons, beads and dried flowers.
Offer Extra-Special Mementos
You’ll want to order these well ahead of race day.
- Derby glasses, the decorative glasses in which mint juleps are sold at Churchill Downs, are available through mail order or Internet sales.
- An official Kentucky Derby program (similar to the program or the exact program sold at the track on Derby Day). It will help your guests follow the race.
Rosy Food Presentation
- Garnish Parmesan Cheese Ball with tomato flowers to resemble roses.
- Make Starry Ice Beverage Cooler for serving Mint Juleps or lemonade. Use mint for the herbs and roses (or rose petals) for the cranberries. Use this same ice idea for making bowls to hold fresh strawberries or asparagus spears.