Hosting a Home-Style Derby Watch Party
Next Saturday, May 3rd is this year’s Kentucky Derby! I never really watched or cared much about the race until I was a young adult. One May afternoon at my brother and sister-in-law’s engagement party, someone said, “The Derby is on tonight!” I didn’t even know what that meant—but we watched, and I thought it was so fun! I liked the big build-up and how quick the race was.
From then on, I made sure to catch it every year, and it slowly turned into a little family-and-friend tradition. When I had kids, I got them involved too. I found scraps of tissue paper and paper plates so they could make hats while I whipped up a Derby-style drink and an appetizer. Now my girls and I know exactly when Derby day is coming—we pull out our decor, plan our snacks, and make an evening of it.
If you’re thinking of starting your own tradition, here’s what our evening usually looks like, plus some ideas to make your own version at home:
1) Decor
Years ago, I bought a few reusable items that I bring out every year. You definitely don’t have to go overboard—just a few touches can make it feel festive:
This simple banner → Derby Banner
These photo props → Photo Booth Props
These reusable cups → Derby Cups
A silver platter and silver vase with red roses make it feel extra classic
Horse cups for the kids → Kid-Friendly Horse Cups
Shop your house too! I had a random horseshoe in my decor stash (not sure why, but now it’s a keeper!), and when my kids were little, they had this Melissa & Doug horse stable → Horse Stable Toy.
2) Apparel
Go digging in your closet for seersucker, fun dresses, or anything that feels dashing and dapper! It’s always more fun to dress up.
And of course—the hats! I like to set out a table with paper plates, markers, tissue, and faux (or real!) flowers and let the kids create their own.
These jockey hats are always a hit → Jockey Hats
3) Games
We love a simple, family-friendly way to get everyone cheering:
Write down the names of the horses on name tags or slips of paper
Everyone draws one (or two depending on the crowd)
Extra horses? Roll dice to win the leftovers!
Wear your name tag and cheer your horse on
Prize bucket ideas for kids:
Horse sticker books
Mini puzzles
Blow-up punch balloons
Little horse figurines
4) Food
This is my favorite part! Here’s what we usually make:
🧀 Cheese and veggie platter with Ina’s herb dip
🌶️ Pimento cheese for a southern touch
🍪 Horse cookies we found on Pinterest
🐔 BBQ sliders and chicken fingers for the kids
5) Drinks
You can’t go wrong with a mint julep, but for a non-alcoholic option, try a Hibiscus Mint Lemonade mocktail—refreshing and kid-friendly, too.
I hope this gives you some inspiration to start your own Derby watch party tradition at home. If you have any fun ideas or recipes you love, share them below—I’d love to hear how you celebrate!
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