Put on your big fancy hat. Get ready to sip on a mint julep or some bourbon. Review the odds and pick a horse.
On Saturday, the 148th Kentucky Derby and the run for the roses at Churchill Downs, known as the fastest two minutes of sports, is on.
While metro Detroit is hundreds of miles away from the race, several watch party events are happening on Saturday featuring race staples like mint juleps and Derby-Pie.
The mint julep has been the traditional drink at the annual race for nearly a century. Over the two-day event at Churchill Downs, nearly 120,000 mint juleps are expected to be served, according to kentuckyderby.com.
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Here are a few events:
Emagine Theatre
200 North Main St., Royal Oak
This Derby watch party takes place 2:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. inside the Emagine Sports Lounge. Tickets are $30 per person and include gourmet popcorn, assorted fruit, assorted mini sandwiches, and a veggie platter. There will also be a cash bar with specialty cocktails.
The lounge will also have prerace coverage from noon-2:15 p.m., which will be open to the public.
For tickets: eventbrite.com.
Green Dot Stables
2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit
Green Dot Stables is hosting its 10th anniversary and annual daylong Kentucky Derby party on Saturday. Located at 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd. near Corktown, Green Dot will feature mint juleps, special menu items, live music and a best-dressed contest. Guest judges include local fashionists Rachel Lutz of the Peacock Room and Nelson Sanders of Dandy Detroit. Judges will choose the best hat and best-dressed female and male.
At Green Dot, the food concept is built around a menu of sliders. For the derby party, menu highlights include hot turkey browns and cheeseburger sliders. There’s also derby pie.
The first 100 customers receive a collectible Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby cup.
Music begins at 4 p.m. with the Thrift Store Cowboys bluegrass band playing up until race time. Music spun by DJ Nick Austin begins after the race.
Doors open at noon. The costume contest is at 6:30 p.m. and the race post time is scheduled for 6:57 p.m.
For info: greendotstables.com.
Little Caesars Arena
2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Little Caesars Arena is celebrating “Derby Day in the District,” from 3-7:30 p.m. in the Chevrolet Plaza and Budweiser Biergarten. The event will feature a red carpet entrance, live music by Collision Six, photo opportunities, costume contests, specialty food and beverages.
Tickets are $10 per person to enter and include one drink. There will be additional food and beverage available for purchase at a barbecue station and bourbon bar that includes specialty cocktails. Must be 21 or older to enter.
For tickets: districtdetroit.com.
Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: [email protected] Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism