The Kentucky Derby was first introduced in 1875 and has been a yearly tradition in Louisville, KY ever since, along with Derby parties. In fact, it's believed that the custom of awarding the winner of the race each year with roses began at a post-derby party in 1883 when E. Berry Wall, a New York socialite, distributed roses to the ladies in attendance. Kentucky Colonel M. Lewis Clark liked the idea, and being the founder and president of Churchill Downs later included that practice as a part of the race celebration. In Louisville, the Derby celebrations actually start two weeks prior with the Derby Festival, where the citizens of Louisville go all out to provide a variety of events in the spring welcoming event. There is a hot air balloon race, a steamboat race, and a parade,as well as sport activities, concerts, in fact, something for everyone, all coming to a crescendo with the "Greatest Two Minutes In Sports". If you're not going to make it to Louisville, but you want to take part in the festivities, have a Derby party!

Whether you're planning an elegant soiree with fine china and horseshoe floral displays, or a backyard barbeque, their are certain must haves for your party to be a success. Mint Juleps, "DERBY-PIE®", lyrics to "My Old Kentucky Home", and of course, hats for the ladies are definite requirements.

"The Early Times Mint Julep (Official drink of the Kentucky Derby)

2 Cups sugar

2 Cups water

Sprigs of fresh mint

Crushed ice

Early Times Kentucky Whisky

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint."http://www.kentuckyderby.com/party/food-and-entertainment/libations/early-times-mint-julep

Early Times also offers a Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail which is what they use at Churchill Downs to make the approximate 120,000 juleps served over a two-day period. They use over 10,000 bottles of the cocktail, 1,000 pounds of fresh mint, and 60,000 pounds of ice.http://www.kentuckyderby.com/party/food-and-entertainment/libations

For your non-drinking guests you can serve sweet ice tea over crushed ice with a sprig of mint.

As the horses are brought onto the field in the post parade, the University of Louisville marching band plays [[My Old Kentucky Home]] by Stephen Foster. There is documentation from as far back as 1921 that the song was played on Derby Day. Make sure that you've made copies of the words so that your guests can join in.

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME By Stephen Foster

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,

Tis summer, the people are gay;

The corn-top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom

While the birds make music all the day.

The young folks roll on the little cabin floor

All merry, all happy and bright;

By'n by hard times comes a knocking at the door

Then my old Kentucky home, Good-night!

Weep no more my lady. Oh! Weep no more today!

We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home

For the old Kentucky home, far away.

For your menu, a buffet table is your best bet packed with finger foods, like a vegetable tray with your favorite dip and a fresh fruit plate overflowing with strawberries, cantaloupe, honey dew melon, and watermelon. Fresh baked Banana Nut Bread is always a favorite. Sausage stuffed mushrooms would also be a nice touch.

Kentucky Burgoo, which a stew with beef, chicken, and vegetables, with cornbread muffins on the side. (Here are a few recipes that you can look over:)http://southernfood.about.com Click here

For Emeril Lagasse's recipe: Click herehttp://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/kentucky-burgoo-recipe/index

Hot Brown is also a good choice. Hot Brown was a creation of the famous Brown Hotel in Louisville. It's an open-face turkey sandwich with bacon and a Mornay sauce. For the recipe: Click here.http://www.brownhotel.com/dining/hot-brown.html

For Desert, Kentucky Derby Pie

The original DERBY-PIE® recipe is registered with the U.S. Patent Office and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is a sinfully, delicious chocolate pie with pecans, bourbon, and butter. It is best served warm with a dollop of whipped cream. You can find information about ordering DERBY-PIE® by going to their website, Click here.http://www.derbypie.com

There are plenty of family recipes listed on the Internet for similar pies, often referred to as "Thoroughbred Pies", or "Kentucky Derby Pies.http://www.derbypie.com

For an example recipe Click here.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5362063

• Red roses should be a part of the decor. You can put them on your serving tables, or arranged in vases around your party area.

• Put little bundles of the fresh mint around the area to provide a slight hint of the aroma in the air.

• If you would like special party supplies, click here and check out the variety of napkins, glasses, and decorations that will add to the Derby Experience.

• ESPN starts coverage at 11:00am (EST) and broadcast the earlier races of the day, and offer interviews, analysis, and other information about the horses and jockeys leading up to the 4:00pm (EST) coverage on NBC. The actual Derby race usually goes off sometime between 5:15pm (EST) and 5:45pm (EST).http://www.kentuckyderby.com/party/derby-info