It's Derby Day!

They’re off!

Everyone, come gather once again for the fastest, most exciting two minutes in sports — the Kentucky Derby! Or the longest, depending on how much of your last paycheck you put down on the horse with the best odds.

Okay, so Carson City’s pretty far from Churchill Downs and happens to be the capital of a state where betting and gambling are happening all around us 24/7. Unless you’re big into horse racing, which, I confess, I am not particularly, what's there to be excitement about with another Kentucky Derby?

Turns out a ton. See, unlike other major sporting events like the Super Bowl, everyone’s only gathered around the TV for a few minutes in the mid-afternoon. But we all put on our wildest Southern attire, come together in a social gathering and party the rest of the time! Does that sound like the fun part? We’ll focus on that.

In Carson City there are quite a few places you can go to down a couple of mint juleps and watch the race. But the Rotary Club of Carson City is putting on the most notable event: its Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby Fundraiser.

The Run for the Roses event starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Black Box Theater of the Brewery Arts Center. There will be a bar selling mint juleps and other libations, and food will be included with the $35 ticket. There’s also going to be a silent auction (one of the prizes is a trip to next year’s Kentucky Derby in Louisville!), and all of the proceeds go to a great cause — the Rotary Club’s youth programs.

The event has a contest for best ladies' hat and best men’s Derby attire? Are you interested in winning but don’t know where to start? That’s why we’re here!

Winning Derby style is characterized by bright, sun-drenched colors and soft springtime pastels. These colors are everywhere in Carson City’s department stores like Kohl’s, JCPenney and Bealls. Ladies can start by selecting a springy floral sundress and a colorful accessory like a handbag or even a complementary necklace. Men should go all out with a colorful pair of pants — the louder the better. Find a matching checkered or plaid shirt and top it off with a solid blazer or jacket. Extra points if you find a bow tie to pull it all together.

For those willing souls truly intent on drawing some looks at the Derby party, make the short drive to Junkee Clothing Exchange in Midtown Reno. Here’s where you’ll find some crazy printed pants and blazers and flashy dresses, plus all the ingredients to accentuate your Derby outfit to the fullest extent possible. If Derby style is about being outrageous, Junkee is a gold mine.

Now the hard part: the hat. You’ve seen them before, the cartoonish giant sun hats bursting with flower blossoms and personality. If you’re serious about winning this competition, you need a hat, but where could you possibly find one of those?

Believe it or not, just a few miles away in historic Virginia City is the Pioneer Emporium & Virginia City Hat Maker, whose proprietor, a master Parisian hat maker, will measure your head and craft for you a custom, beautiful, contest-winning Derby hat. There are selections in-store of all shapes and styles of women’s hats, so you can pick one of those as well to start. The same goes for men, who will need an authentic, short-brimmed derby hat to finish off their look.

Now, you might be ready to go with your extraordinary and conversation-starting hat as-is. Otherwise, it might be time to decorate your hat all the way to the max. Pick up some ribbon and artificial flowers — a lot of them — from Jo-Ann Fabrics in the Carson Mall, and the rest is up to you. Mix colors, add feather plumes or props and accessorize your hat until it’s close to teetering off your head. Make it reflect the most outrageous parts of your own personality, and have fun with it!

Now that you’re all dressed up, leave the house early and start your afternoon at Adele’s. The mint julep, the Southern cocktail famously associated with the Kentucky Derby, is generally just bourbon with water, crushed ice and a mint garnish, but Adele’s makes the best in perhaps all of Northern Nevada. All of Adele’s cocktails are made with fresh, from-scratch ingredients, and its “Julip” is no different. It’s a refreshing blend of Bulleit bourbon, mint, house-made simple syrup and mint bitters served over crushed ice. Relax in the lounge before heading off to your Derby party.

Once all is said and done, when the winner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby is covered in a garland of red roses and you, no doubt, are the proud recipient of a best-dressed award, end your day over at Sassafras. Unwind with some live music (and maybe just a bit more bourbon), or go for a late dinner that sticks with the Southern theme, like the Shrimp Po-Boy on a French roll or the Deep Fried Cheesy Grits.

However you celebrate your Derby day, be sure to be safe and look great. Check out our Daytime, Nightlife and Community events pages and have a wonderful first weekend of May!

Wait, before you go, here's a bonus recipe for your weekend celebrations.