8 Ways to Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in Rhode Island
Mint juleps, anyone? Visit one of these Kentucky Derby parties and benefits dressed in your fancy hat and Derby best.
Photograph via Getty Images/Mille Flore Images.
Two minutes. That’s it. People across the country dress up and wear big hats for an event that lasts just two minutes. For almost 150 years, visitors have gathered at Churchill Downs in Kentucky to sip mint juleps and cheer for horses and jockeys racing around a dirt track for a total of 120 seconds. It’s arguably the most exciting two minutes in all of sports. If you can’t make it down South for the Derby, there are plenty of local places that are celebrating the big event on Saturday, May 3, with parties and benefits where you can dress up as if you’re witnessing the race first hand.
Linden Place
Art by Liesl Long Chaintreuil
Dig out your prettiest dress or seersucker jacket for Linden Place’s annual bash. The party begins at 5:30 p.m. with a spirited cocktail hour, followed by a live-stream viewing on the big screen of the 151st Kentucky Derby.” A three-course sit down dinner by renowned Russell Morin Catering will follow along with desserts. The party goes until 10 p.m. with bourbon tastings, an open bar and dancing. There will also be live and silent auctions where attendees may bid on a wide array of products and services, with all proceeds going towards supporting important initiatives at Linden Place. Festive attire is encouraged and prizes will be awarded for best dressed and best hat. 5–10 p.m. $175. Linden Place, 500 Hope St., Bristol, 401-253-0390, lindenplace.org
Project Confidence
From horse race raffles and prizes for those deemed best dressed, Project Confidence’s Kentucky Derby fundraiser at Brass Monkey invites guests to bid on exclusive sports memorabilia, sip on refreshing mint juleps and support a great cause. Project Confidence provides hygienic and personal care products for underserved youth in the state. Make sure to donate any toiletries for the nonprofit’s Confidence Kits filled with hair products, body wash, oral hygiene supplies and more. 4–8 p.m. Free. Brass Monkey, 800 Allens Ave., Providence, 401-785-1818, brassmonkeyri.com
MAE Organization
The Mae Organization’s fourth annual “Taking the Reins on Homelessness” fundraiser event offers a southern fare buffet, mint Juleps, photo ops with horses, raffles, a best of fashion show, dancing and more. 5–9 p.m. Starting at $125. Harbor Lights, 150 Gray St., Warwick, maeorganization.org
Providence GPub
The race might be only two minutes long, but the Providence GPub will celebrate the 150th Run for the Roses for hours. The party will include a livestream of the race with Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps and Best Dressed Contests. Style judges will be on hand to determine three different winners: Too Hot To Trot – Best Dressed Lady, Dapper Dan – Best Dressed Man, and the Daily Double – Best Dressed Couple. 5:30–7:30 p.m. Free. 100 Dorrance St., 401-585-8005, Providence, providencegevents.com
Derby day fashion at the Fraid Knots Pan Mass Challenge party.
Fraid Knots Pan Mass Challenge Team
The Fraid Knots Pan Mass Challenge Team is hopping off their bikes for a special fundraiser on Derby Day to support their cause of honoring cancer victims and survivors and helping find a cure. Back by popular demand, the annual fundraiser will take place at Blue Water Bar and Grill in Barrington beginning at 4 p.m. The night includes a viewing of the races and getting your money’s worth at the Hot Kentucky-themed three-course buffet for only $80 per person. 32 Barton Ave., Barrington, 401-247-0017, facebook.com/fraidknots
Moonshine Alley
Providence’s popular Nashville-inspired restaurant/bar is encouraging Derby lovers to round up their friends and their best derby hats and attire to watch the race on their jumbo screen. They will be slinging mint juleps and cocktail specials all day and night. Big hats, floral dresses, and derby attire are highly encouraged. 5–7 p.m. Free. 52 Pine St., Providence, 401-861-0001, moonshinealley.com
The Vanderbilt
Head to the Vanderbilt for the iconic mansion’s second annual Kentucky Derby Party and enjoy southern-inspired refreshments, betting games and a colorful dress code. Tickets include access to party, stationed food, live bluegrass band music and entertainment. 5–8 p.m. $95. 41 Mary St., Newport, 401-846-6200, aubergeresorts.com
Track15
Giddy up! The new Providence food hall is promising to be the place to be and be seen for the big race this weekend. Patrons can sip on Mint Juleps (available starting at 11 a.m.), vibe to live jazz music from the Chris Hersch Trio, enter a best Derby attire contest (first place gets a $100 Track 15 gift certificate, second and third get %50 and $25, respectively), and enter a raffle to win a Derby Day gift basket from Angel’s Envy Kentucky Bourbon. 6–9 p.m. Free. 1 Union Station, Providence, 401-443-9215, track15ri.com.
