It’s Kentucky Derby time again and this year looks like we’re going to see things go back to the grand event it was pre-pandemic. That means it’s time to go all-out with the food, drinks, decorations, and attire.

If you’re a Derby fanatic and are planning to host an event this year we’ve got some fun ideas you can incorporate into your party that you may not have thought of.

The Food. Have you ever heard of a ‘Hot Brown Sandwich’? This tasty dish has been a Kentucky Tradition since first created in 1926 by the chef at Louisville’s Brown Hotel. It’s an open-faced sandwich made and the original recipe was made with toast, turkey, tomatoes, and cheese. There are a variety of versions available online so do a quick search and find the one that would best suit your guests. Don’t forget the Derby pie!

The Drink. The race may only last about 2 minutes but the cocktails you make for the gang will keep you in high spirits all day long. Of course, the Mint Julep is typically the star of the party but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring other libations into the mix. Consider the ‘Oaks Lily’ – made with vodka, the ‘Jockey Club’ which is the cousin of the Manhattan, or the ‘Horses Neck’ made with only 2 ingredients. Don’t forget to have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages on hand for your guests that don’t drink.

The Attire. When it comes to getting dressed for the derby you can really use your imagination and have some fun with it. How about a pajama theme? Get dressed in your colorful and bright PJs (instead of fancy dresses and suits), but top the outfit off with fancy hats. Not only will your event be a unique experience for your guests, but they’ll be comfortable as can be enjoying the race.

The Betting. No Derby party is complete without some friendly wagering between friends. There are many different ways you can place your bets and because a scratch can always happen a short time before the race, you’ll want to do your research on how to handle your betting based on the number of people at your party and also what you think they would be willing to wager. Don’t make it something they’ll think is too expensive or too difficult to figure out. This website offers several different options.

The Games. Since you’ll want your party to last longer than the 2 minutes the race is on, you’re going to want your guests to be entertained the rest of the time. Games like Derby Bingo, ring toss, horseshoes, and pin the tail on the horse will keep everyone laughing and engaged with one another.

However you do Derby Day, we hope you’ll make it an event to remember and one they’ll talk about for years to come. We’d love to see your pictures. Share them over on our Facebook page with the rest of our pajama community!