Tag: Derby

Talk Derby to Me

harkinchronicles

Our family friend Tara hosts a Kentucky Derby party every year the day of the race. James has been before but this was my first time attending. My last Derby party was back in college and we went all out with bright dresses and big hats so I asked James about 1000 times before the party if people “dressed Derby” for this party and he told me yes, dressing the part is an expectation. Luckily we had the Nip Hunt that same day and I had an outfit that worked for both events. I may have worn the hat from the relay race at Justin and Jasmine’s baby shower…

We got there right in time for the race to begin. Our roommate Matt came along and neither Matt nor James was dressed particularly “Derby” so again walking up the driveway I asked James if people dressed up. He said yes and then laughed. I told him I was going to kill him if I was the only one dressed up. I may have been in the brightest dress but luckily all the other women had hats! A lot of people made their own hats that were much larger (and more “Derby”) than mine.

Even though I have been to Derby parties before, I don’t think I’ve actually ever watched the race. I know absolutely nothing about horse racing but while we were watching the race, I commented that it was awfully strange that the horse in first place made such a wide turn. He nearly caused a horse pile up behind him! Well after the race was over, there was all this commotion because there was some type of penalty for the horse that came in first place and officials were going to review video footage to see if the results would be overturned. The first place result has NEVER changed in all the previous 144 years so this was a BIG. DEAL. After 20 minutes of us watching the officials watch replays from every angle, the results were overturned and the first place horse was disqualified meaning the second place horse was now the first place horse. A historic Derby moment!

Until our next adventure!

Brewers Ball at Bad Sons

harkinchronicles

In the past few years, so many craft breweries have sprung up in our local area. The home brew trend is alive and well and our friends Julie and Jeff have been making their own beers and wines at home for the past few years (fun fact – they actually made the wine and beer served at their wedding!).

Bad Sons in Derby has been holding events at their brewery to publicize local craft brews. I had to miss their “April Sours” event because of work but I was able to to make it to their Brewers Ball recently (James was unfortunately working but Matt came with!). Julie and Jeff were there showing off two of their beers – a stout that tastes JUST like Reeses Puffs cereal and an IPA.

Matt and I started at Julie and Jeff’s table and made our way around the very cold and very wet tent. There were some really great beers and I made sure to take photos of my favorites so I can possibly see if they distribute. Like I said, more and more people are fulfilling their dreams of opening their own breweries so I’m hoping to see some of my favorites (especially Julie and Jeff) in their own location some day!

Bad Sons is about forty minutes from our house but there are closer breweries that are having all sorts of events – bingo night, yoga, trivia. Maybe I can drag James to yoga if there’s beer involved…

Until our next adventure!