Above / Going under cover to help promote the Diva Derby Hat Contest is just one of the activities that adds creativity to the Kentucky Derby Gala benefit for Hesed House, an enjoyable way to support a good cause.
From 3PM to 7PM Sat., May 7, the 5th Annual Kentucky Derby Gala to benefit Hesed House is slated to highlight the “Run for the Roses” at the Embassy Suites in Naperville.
What’s often deemed “the most exciting two minutes in sports” has been turned into an entire afternoon and evening event with a track record of good times for a good cause.
Whether longtime racing fans or novices to the event, the spacious new setting will welcome cheering revelers to sample Southern style and hospitality reminiscent of Churchill Downs as they sing along to My Old Kentucky Home.
Timed to celebrate with friends the victory of one horse in the Kentucky Derby, a 3-year-old thoroughbred that aspires to go on to win the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes for the Triple Crown, the fashionable event is a race of another sort, too. It’s a race against homelessness when pretty hats are donned to heighten awareness with a spirit of giving.
“The excitement of the day is tremendously enhanced with all of the ladies and men in glorious hats!” said Ray Kinney who again will serve as emcee and auctioneer. “You can’t help but get caught up in Derby excitement seeing the room full of folks dressed in their Derby Duds – even Ryan Dowd (Executive Director of Hesed House) and his wife, Krissie, get dolled up to ‘ponyupforHesed’.”
Raffles, a silent auction and a live auction will offer many attractive prizes from local merchants, all to benefit Hesed House, a national model for ending homelessness – one person, one family at a time.
Presented this year by Gerald KIA and Meson Sabika, the Kentucky Derby Gala is open to the public with advance reservations.
Tickets are $150 per person/open seating and $1,500/reserved table of 10. A portion of every reservation is tax deductible under current tax law.
For reservations, call Carolyn Fairbanks at (630) 897-2156 x 514 or email cfairbanks@hesedhouse.org.
Enjoy the Derby Diva Hat Contest with a Mint Julep
Every guest is welcomed to enter the popular Derby Diva Hat Contest, a time when men and women can show off the stuff on top of their head for fun, prizes and bragging rights. (If hats aren’t your style, that’s OK. Other folks will arrive without hats, just for the fun of it.)
Click any square to enlarge photos from previous Kentucky Derby Gala Benefits for Hesed House.
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Hats off for ‘Derby After Party’ at 7PM
In addition, the 2016 event will offer a Derby After Party with live music and dancing, also included with the price of a reservation. The Derby After Party will run from 7-10PM.
One of Naperville’s favorite party bands, The Waterdawgs, will perform so revelers can dance all through the evening in support of Hesed House.
For complete details about the Gala, silent and live auction items, making reservations or becoming a Gala sponsor, visit www.hesedhouse.org or call (630) 897-2156 x 514.
RELATED POST with photos and details of the 2015 event.
