COVID-19 may have pushed Kentucky Derby 146 to September 5, but Churchill Downs will pull out all the stops on Saturday, May 2 with a day-long virtual Kentucky Derby at Home party in keeping with the “first Saturday in May” tradition.
The day is designed to encourage the perfect interactive #KyDerbyAtHome. Churchill Downs will join the Kentucky Derby Museum and other partners to offer virtual tours, Derby cocktail and fascinator-making instructions, ideas for party decorations, kids’ crafts, Derby-inspired recipes, an at-home Derby fashion contest and much more.
The event also will be a fundraiser for COVID-19 emergency relief efforts.
Beginning on April 30, fans will be able to visit www.KentuckyDerby.com to choose their favorite horse to win the virtual race and can join Churchill Downs in making a charitable donation to COVID-19 emergency relief efforts. Churchill Downs has pledged to match up to $1 million of donations, for a total potential donation of $2 million.
Here’s the slate of activities:
- 12:00 PM: The Greatest Race Virtual Watch Party
- 12:15 PM: LIVE: Kids Arts & Crafts with the Derby Museum (virtual)
- 1:00 PM: LIVE: DIY Fascinator Making with the Derby Museum (virtual)
- 2:00 PM: LIVE: Cocktail Crafting with Woodford Reserve (virtual)
- 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown on NBC
- 5:00 PM: Virtual Toast
- 5:15 PM: My Old Kentucky Home Sing-a-long (virtual)
- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Road to the Kentucky Derby: Arkansas Derby on NBC
Concurrently with these day-long Churchill Downs festivities, Woodford Reserve (Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby) is offering virtual activities of its own.
“The Kentucky Derby is not just a horse race — it’s tradition, pageantry and history — and it brings people together from across the globe for the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” commented Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris in a press release.
“Now more than ever, it is important to preserve that history and keep the tradition alive.”
Woodford Reserve’s May 2 programming:
● 2 p.m. — Bourbon, Horses & History — Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris will demonstrate how to make the perfect Mint Julep while speaking about the history that connects thoroughbreds, bourbon and Derby. Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall, an expectant mother, will share her favorite mocktail recipes that are inspired by Derby cocktail classics. She will also share tips to enjoy the day with the entire family.
● 3 p.m. A Global Live Toast to Derby — Morris and McCall will join Derby fans from all over the world join for a toast to celebrate the First Saturday in May and look forward to the Sept. 5 Run for the Roses. The toast will be on Woodford Reserve’s YouTube Live channel.
You’ll be needing meals and beverages to pair with Kentucky Derby at Home.
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And, previously we took a look back at the year 1945, the last time the Derby was postponed.
