Categories: Entertaining

Giddy Up for a Kentucky Derby Gathering

Casual parties in the Charleston burbs are almost always potluck. Invitations include some variation on “bring a dish to share” and “bring your favorite beverage.” At first, I was skeptical about asking guests to contribute. But now I get it. Here are three great reasons to go potluck.

Friends are more likely to host parties because it costs less and everyone pitches in to help. Who doesn’t want more parties?
Because there’s plenty of food and drink, potluck parties encourage everyone to “bring along friends.” This style of Southern hospitality expands circles. Eventually, I’ll know everyone in Charleston. I love that small town feel.
The food isn’t dependent on one person’s or caterer’s skill. Every event becomes a tasting party.

Because I wasn’t worried about preparing five appetizers for 40, I could focus on setting the stage for my favorite sporting event. Did I mention the race only lasts 2 minutes?

Anyone who knows me, knows I love a theme. My “Big Hats & Bow Ties” invites not-so subtly implied the dress code. It made some grumble at first, but I swear dressing up makes any event more special.

I lined my gate with a garland of red roses (Derby Day’s official flower) and gold bow ties to welcome guests. The kitchen counters were cleared for the buffet. I supplied red plates, Kentucky Derby napkins (from Amazon) and silverware. Also, have extra serving spoons and forks on hand for potlucks. My dish was Kentucky country ham and Southern-style biscuits with a choice of blue-cheese dijon mustard or raspberry honey mustard. My friends filled out the menu with:

Mini panko encrusted crab cakes with remoulade
Cucumber and dill tea sandwiches
Boiled peanuts
Mini sausages in BBQ glaze
Salsa salad
Spinach artichoke dip
Jamaican beef croissants
Banana pudding

I provided a large drink dispenser of sweet tea (served in jelly jars with lemon). The wine bar was also in the kitchen. The official winery of the Kentucky Derby was 14 Hands, so I purchased a few bottles.

I set up a Bourbon tasting table and a Mint Julep station on the screened in porch to encourage flow. You can make Mint Juleps in large batches. One cup mint simple syrup to 750 ml of your favorite bourbon. Fill cup with ice, pour and garnish with fresh mint. I scored the mint julep cups at Pier One Imports and my parents gifted Damian the drink dispenser from Pottery Barn. We filled coolers with beer. Loads of ice was purchased and placed in buckets and coolers.

Each entertaining area had a nod to the Derby. I found lots of race items on Etsy. I love the paintings by Brenda Salyers. One of her race paintings is featured on my home page.

Michael’s craft store has grass mats that make great turf table runners. Horseshoes lean against my Luminara flame-effect lantern. (I used to sell Luminara on QVC.)

For fun, I provided photo props: a plastic trophy, horse hat, stick horse and horseshoe sunglasses. All from Amazon.

A beautiful ribbon from Etsy went to the best hat winner. Carla took the price with her red fascinator. The names of each horse in the race went into a man’s hat and were picked randomly by guests. I awarded the winner a bottle of Kentucky Derby red wine and a porcelain horseshoe to hang over her door for luck.

My hubby also set up croquet and bean bag toss in our bag yard.

This was our first party in our new home and our first annual Kentucky Derby party. With a potluck and my pals on Parkers Landing, I can always bet on fun.

Please share your potluck party tips.

susan@susanmatthews.com