The Kentucky Derby is easily one of the standards on a bucket list to those with a fast pulse and streak of adventure. This mama grew up around the Woodstock-esque atmosphere of Derby Mania when my girlfriends and I would skip school and quite recklessly offer rides to visiting college kids who were wandering the bars on Bardstown Road’s Bambi Walk.
Now that I am a missus and not a miss, I have traded my cut-off jeans for a cocktail dress. As a veteran of all things Derby, I will tell you that there is a choice that must be made every journey to Derbytown, USA – parties or the track. It is impossible to survive both even as a sober sister.
This year Maniac got the inside track on celebrity invites to the most charitable and delightful parties, all sponsored by every manner of liquor companies that capitalize on the heightened revelry and electricity charged from the fastest thoroughbreds on the planet. The gods are watching for Apollo’s new charges.
On Derby Eve amongst the must-be-seen-drinking-a-mint-julep-and-wearing-a-fascinator parties, the Julep Ball is a massive hit, so much so that they moved it to a larger venue the last couple of years to the KFC Yum! Center. TV
personality Carson Kressley is a Julep Ball frequent flyer and always a purveyor of Derby duds. He is like the Joan River’s of the track, you might say. Also on the list this year was the always absolutely gorgeous Kym Johnson, dancer and judge on “Dancing with the Stars.” She was eager to shout out to Pittsburgh since winning the trophy ball with dance partner Steelers’ Hines Ward in Season 12.
Sisters often make great socialite tag team philanthropists, that goes for the York sisters who started Unbridled Eve Gala to benefit Blessings in a Backpack. This year the stars of “2 Broke Girls” Beth Behrs and Jonathan Kite graced the red carpet along with the footsteps of many collegiate and professional sports players.
However, the gala to rival all galas cumulates with the 26th Annual Barnstable Gala hosted by a pair of identical sisters who were the Doublemint twins in the 70s, Pricilla and Patricia Barnstable. Every year they open their beautiful Highlands home to A-list celebrities and generous donors to their foundation for Diabetes Research. This mama got a chance to sink her heels into their lawn while waiting for the celebs to grace the driveway and dance to the backyard disco.
Amongst the crowd was honorary Pittsburgher Boy George who stopped to chat about how much weight he lost
since he received the Seal of the City, 15 years ago. Incidentally, I drove him home that night. Country singer Miranda Lambert was once again present to receive an audience. I have it from a good source that when the Barnstable family invites celebrities they ask them personally, like calling their mom or manager. Part of the charm of this party is that it is almost a Derby institution. The Barnstables’ greet every one personally like you are indeed an honored guest in their house. When I was in high school it was also a tradition to stand outside and try to get the attention of the celebrity guests… it wasn’t me who was doing the flashing I swear.
Inside the party, guests in A-list gowns navigated amongst the cobblestone paths and seductive gazing pool, I call it seductive because I could imagine jumping in, maybe pulling Tom Brady in with me! Darn, he was accompanied by a body guard! Double darn, my husband was photographing the red carpet and texted me it was time to move on to the after party!
Maxim Magazine’s Fillies & Stallions party was already being assaulted by my cohorts Beth and Robbie Sparks. I am little out of the loop spotting sports players other than that they are usually very wide or very tall. For all those who don’t know, UL and UK sports players are like A-list celebrities to Kentucky’s neck of the woods. However, it didn’t keep Boston Celtic player Kris Humphries from joining the fray, on the prowl looking for his next Kim. And there were plenty of beauties to be seen because, well, Kentucky babes are just built like fillies! Insert really inappropriate analogy… fast and fit? No, maybe courageous and strong!!! Yeah, let’s go with that one!
Live long and Derby,
Sarah Lolley – for more Derby go to AccidentalMama.com/am
