Observations From My First Kentucky Derby

1. Hats are optional.  Not! There will always be hats, and the glorious hat contest! The gaudier or bigger the better! And we thought it was men who were obsessed with size!
2. There will be a traditional southern specialty know as Burgoo served.  In spicy and regular.  Burgoo? What the heck is Burgoo you ask? It is a southern delicacy akin to vegetable soup, with lima beans, some form of meat, and vegetables. (I did not ask about the meat! Husband said it was gross!)
3. Even in dry counties, alcohol is served at derby parties.  The house liquor is whiskey, served in traditional mint juleps, and beer.  So I did try a mint julep.  Disgusting.  I am not a whiskey girl.  I also do not understand the point of putting a hairy leafy plant stem into the whiskey.  Eeeww gross. Can't there be microscoopic bugs on that stem? Shiver.
4. Why do Kentuckians not stand at the playing of the national anthem?  But stand at the Kentucky State song?  I am told that Kentucky is a commonwealth akin to Texas and Virginia, and even though they are recognized by the federal government as a state, they still regard themselves as separate from the union.  This practice is also upheld at all UK games.
5. Door prizes are given away.  We won an adorable little gardening bag organizer, filled with supplies! My favorite was the plant watering globe!
6. Baskets are raffled off.  I was amazed at the huge pasta basket that was raffled off for the winning bid of $65.  All of which could have been purchased at your local walmart for $21.95.  But it was to benefit the historic mansion we "partied" in, so it was for a good cause.
7. Did I mention hats? There will always be a lady with a horse(s) on her hat.  The horse hat will always win a prize!
8. The pre-race festivities are fun.  The post race collecting is fun.  The race lasting less than 3 minutes, definitely anti-climactic. 
9. The auctioneer needed to take a lecture in auctioneering skills.(Having served as an auctioneer several times in the past, I can officially say he sucked!)
10. If you are so attached to the big screen, high definition television you watched the derby on, we can get you in touch with the furniture company who provided them for our use today, and you get a discount!
11. If you are attached to the big screen, high definition television you watched the derby on, we can get you in touch with the furniture company who provided them for our use today, and you get a discount! Okay...
12. Scrumptious food!  My favorite were the chocolate covered strawberries.  They very kind we were supposed to have at my wedding many years ago, but the caterer skimped and brought a bowl of strawberries and a bowl of chocolate goop to dip them in.  Sensing a little animosity?Yes, I am still pissed about that 8 years later!