Kentucky Derby Party

    Throw this race-day party in record time.
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    Kentucky-Derby-Party

    The Kentucky Derby is a great excuse for a party, and the race is over in about two minutes, so you have plenty of time to eat, drink and hang out with friends. Best of all, a Derby day party requires almost no planning. Using ingredients you have on hand along with a few last-minute items from the store, you can prep most of the food the night before -- and use the morning to study up on the horses.

    menu

    Country Ham Biscuits

    Benedictine Salad

    Grits Cakes with Pimiento Cheese

    Mint Julep Melon Bites

    tips + how-tos

    Kentucky-Derby-Party

    tips + tricks

    SET THE SCENE

    Mad Hatters

    Women traditionally wear elaborate hats to the Derby at Churchill Downs. Ask your guests to bring a straw hat, then provide bins of feathers, lace, flowers, ribbons, beads, fabric scraps and glue or a hot-glue gun for decorating. Give everyone five minutes to finish the job -- then vote on the best design.

    Place Your Bets

    Download and print out betting sheets to keep everyone honest. Want to sound like a Derby pro? Pick up some Derby lingo, too

    ONE-STOP SHOPPING

    1. Cucumber

    2. Arugula

    3. Cantaloupes

    4. Fresh mint

    5. Quick-cooking grits

    6. Sliced pimientos

    7. Sharp cheddar cheese

    8. Cream cheese

    9. Dry-cured country

    10. Ham or prosciutto