The Kentucky Derby may be held elsewhere, but that doesn’t mean North Texans don’t “run for roses” themselves for fundraising. First out of the gate with plans for the Saturday, May 5, horse race was The Conservancy at Oak Lawn Park [formerly known as Lee Park] with a kick off party at Uptown’s Starpower on Thursday, March 8. Here’s a report from the field:
The race has officially begun! On Thursday, March 8, The Conservancy kicked off its 10th annual Day at the Races Kentucky Derby event with board members, sponsors and patrons at Starpower in Uptown. The Conservancy President/CEO Gay Donnell and staff members Jane Brecunier and Susan Finlay greeted guests upon arrival. Guests including Carol and Kevin March, Ashton and Patrick Mayne, Sue Krider, Michael Willis, Francesco Mainetti, Beth Easton, Annette and Eduardo Ponce, Hal Thorne, Sarah and Lee Papert, Kirsten and Peter Swanson, Katie Crnkovich, Lauren Gallo, Tyler Stevens, Dominique Patton, Katie and Josh Ray, Nancy and Al Loehr, Jon Beasley, Tom Houser, Erin Stanwix, Erik Bohdan, Brandi Thompson, Carolyn Headley, Katherine Powell, Scott Berry, Julie O’Brien, Rodney Moore, Colin Beales and Shane Stenger mixed, mingled and browsed Starpower’s impressive collection of home theater equipment, including theater seating with ultra-real motion response simulation while enjoying Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps along with GH Mumm Champagne, selections from Lakewood Brewing and hors d’oeuvres.
Once the party was in full swing, Gay took the floor to formally welcome patrons and recognize Board Members in attendance. She also announced this year’s Day at the Races honorary co-chairs are Lucian LaBarba and member of the Junior Conservancy founders, his nephew, Gianni LaBarba, Otis Felton will serve as Community Chair, and Day at the Races Junior Co-Chairs are Dr. Lauren Ives and Sean March. Gay then turned it over to Lauren and Sean who proceeded with details of the Saturday, May 5, Day at the Races derby event at the historic Arlington Hall.
The event will include southern cuisine by Food Glorious Food and drinks from Lillet aperitif, Altos tequila, Absolut Elyx, Kenwood wines, Campo Viejo, Glenmorangie scotch, G.H. Mumm champagne and Woodford Reserve bourbon, which are the official brands for the Kentucky Derby as well. The co-chairs recognized early sponsors including: March Family Foundation, Weitzman, Veritex Community Bank, The Barre Code — Design District, Teffy Jacobs and Doris Jacobs of Allie Beth Allman Real Estate, Sue Krider of Allie Beth Allman Real Estate, Jamie M. Bloom/Schwab, Mayne Petroleum Consulting LLI Now, Travis Sartain/Marsh And McClennan and Stuart Weitzman. Sean and Lauren left the audience in laughter after admitting that Sean is more about the business and Lauren is all about the fun, which makes for the dynamic duo’s “business in the front, party in the back” approach.
Lauren detailed happenings during Day at the Races, which will take place Saturday, May 5, 2018, from 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Arlington Hall at Oak Lawn Park, and announced music will be provided by the Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra. Guests will also enjoy live and silent auctions, a restaurant gift card pull, a new reverse raffle, and of course, a simulcast of the Kentucky Derby. This lively event celebrates the 144th Run for the Roses and benefits the beautification and thoughtful development of Arlington Hall and Oak Lawn Park. Ladies and gentlemen are encouraged to don their best Kentucky Derby Style and take part in the competitions for Best Dressed Man, Woman, Couple and Best Hat!
The co-chairs encouraged patrons to snag their VIP tickets early and teased that this would be one tent at the event that guests would regret not being a part of! Lauren even offered a three-installment payment plan for VIP tickets, which garnered laughter throughout the crowd. She confirmed that individual tickets are $150 each and VIP tickets start $250 each.
For additional information, call 214.521.2003.
* Photo credit: George Fiala