It's not often you see Southern belles and gentlemen in top hats sipping mint juleps in Tucson, but that's the scene that can be expected Saturday at the Catalina Rotary Club's second annual Kentucky Derby Day, Southern Hospitality in Southern Arizona fundraiser.
The event, to raise money for Tucson's nonprofit Child Language Center, will include live bluegrass music, a Southern-style luncheon, cocktail bar, ladies hat parade, costume contest and silent auction leading up to a live broadcast of the 134th Kentucky Derby on four big-screen televisions at Rillito Park Race Track.
"We try to give people a little taste of the Derby here and keep it true to the Kentucky traditions," said event Chairman Pete Walsh, who has attended the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs three times.
That authenticity will include a University of Arizona music student playing the call to the post, a group chorus of "My Old Kentucky Home" and demonstrations by local bartenders on how to make the race's signature drink, the mint julep, Walsh said.
People are also reading…
There will also be a "place your bets" raffle for a cash prize, up for grabs by those who successfully pick the winning horse.
Walsh, who lived in Kentucky for 10 years and was named an honorary Kentucky Colonel for his charity work by the state's governor, said the Catalina Rotary hopes to raise about $20,000 at this year's Kentucky Derby Day.
That money will benefit the Child Language Center's Wings on Words program, which provides assistance to young children with speech and language impairments.
Barbara Kiernan, a Catalina Rotary member and director of the Child Language Center, said the center will use the money to expand its speech clinic and add audiovisual equipment and parent observation areas.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for a group such as ours to receive help," Kiernan said.
The Child Language Center is the Catalina Rotary's major charity beneficiary for the year, while Tucson's Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services is the secondary recipient, Walsh said.
Saturday's silent auction will include several Kentucky Derby souvenir items, and a live auction following the race broadcast will feature everything from jewelry to vacations, including trips to Lake Tahoe and Bainbridge Island, Wash.
One Rotary Club member who will be absent from Saturday's local Derby festivities is Bill Salisbury. That's because he won a trip for two to watch the Kentucky Derby in person through a Catalina Rotary raffle held in April.
The prize included airfare to Louisville, Ky., a three-night hotel stay and two seats near the finish line at Churchill Downs on race day.
Salisbury, 71, said he plans to place a modest bet on a horse and get a mint julep, and his wife intends to buy a hat.
Salisbury is also expected to be honored as a Kentucky Colonel by the state's governor during his visit, Walsh said.
"I'm really looking forward to it," said Salisbury, a sports fan who has already joined crowds at the Indianapolis 500, Major League Baseball playoffs, NFL playoffs and NCAA basketball tournaments. "The Derby is one of the major sporting events you want to see in your life."
If you go
What: Kentucky Derby Day, Southern Hospitality in Southern Arizona.
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Rillito Park Race Track, 4502 N. First Ave.
Cost: Tickets are $100 per person and are available at the door or in advance by calling 742-1453.
