• 
• 
• 

HUNTINGTON -- The Kentucky Derby may be the best two minutes in sports, but that doesn't mean Derby parties can't run all day long and then some.

Maybe we don't have Michael Jordan and Earth, Wind and Fire in the house (they're at the Grand Gala in Louisville), but there's still some A-list fun. The list includes barrels of wine, some artists horsing around with local racing history, and even some racing donkeys heading into the Tri-State for some hot Derby party action.

Here's a look at a few of the Derby parties around the region.

Whites, Reds and Thoroughbreds

If you like a little wine with your party, OK, a lot of wine, then the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center is the place to be from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday for a Kentucky Derby party like no other.

"Whites, Reds and Thoroughbreds," will feature a wine tasting with special guest and national PBS host, Mark Phillips, as well as a live band, a silent auction, wine tastings and the running of the 134th Kentucky Derby on the big screen.

Tickets are $75 for all day. Your contribution to the Marshall Artists Series is tax deductible.

Tickets can be purchased through the Marshall Artists Series box office, located in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center, or by calling 304-696-6656 or 304-523-5757. Patrons can also visit www.marshallartistsseries.org or at www.ticketmaster.com.

Horsing around with history

Kentucky-based equine artist Melanie Osborne just finished a painting of the historic Raceland Race Track that was in operation from 1924 to 1928.

Osborne, one of the nearly 40 artists at the Pendleton Art Center, 1537-1539 Winchester Ave., Ashland, will unveil the original and sell Giclee prints of the race track painting during the First Friday Art Walk, the gallery hop that takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.

The Ashland native who used to live in Raceland Meadows, said it's been a great two months working on the painting that depicts Black Gold in the lead, pink and maroon roses lining the rail, and the packed grandstand watching the race.

The race track was built by J.O. Keene, the man who built Keeneland, and was envisioned as a complete recreation destination before hard times hit. Thank you, Great Depression.

Osborne will be signing prints during First Friday and at the McConnell House Derby Party on Saturday.

For more information, call Osborne at 606-615-0022.

McConnell house party

For the past five years or so, the Greenup County Historical Society has hosted a Kentucky Derby Party to raise some funds for the historic McConnell House in Wurtland.

The Derby party starts at about 2 p.m. Saturday. There will be a hat contest for men and women, a stick-horse contest, some poker, the Derby on TVs, and all you can eat and drink.

The tickets are $25 for a single and $45 for couples.

Claudine Williamson, president of the society, said it's a nice fundraiser for the house that was built in 1833-34.

Call 606-473-9564.

Donkey Derby -- The run for the crabgrass

This weekend the horses run, next week, the donkeys race, because they don't start moving until they are good and ready.

For the fourth year, Ashland's Central Park will host the "Donkey Derby: The Run for the Crabgrass."

The race kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10. The Huntington Symphonic Band will kick off the festivities, and then the racing action ensues with five heats and a final race-off.

Free and open to the public, the race features on-site betting with canned food that is donated to the River Cities Harvest Food Bank.

Bruce Craft, of Ashland's recreation department, said they've raised more than 1,000 pounds of canned food and hope to top more than 500 pounds this year.

Steve Gilmore is the emcee and prizes are awarded to the tackiest hat and the tackiest jockey.

Anyone who would like to be a jockey should call 606-327-2046.

Jockeys must be 18 to enter.

Derby in the valley in the mountains

Ski season might be cashed but the good times are still rolling Saturday with a Kentucky Derby Party at Canaan Resort in Davis, W.Va.

Watch the Derby in the Laurel Lounge on the big screen, mint julep drink specials and more.

Go online at www. canaanresort.com.

Walk, don't run

For folks who like their horsing around in the slow lane, the West Virginia Pumpkin Park is hosting a Horse Show at 6 p.m. Saturday in Milton.

Admission is $5 and children 10 and under get in free.

Come out and see a wide variety (24 different classes) of equine competition including pleasure driving, racking for riders of all ages.

There's even a stickhorse competition for ages 6 and under.

Concessions are available from the Lion's Club of Milton.

The Associated Press

Grooms wash a horse at Churchill Downs Wednesday in Louisville, Ky. The 134th running of the Kentucky Derby will be Saturday.

Jeremy McKnight/For The Herald-Dispatch

The Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center hosts “Whites, Reds and Thoroughbreds,” from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday featuring a wine tasting with special guest and national PBS host Mark Phillips as well as a live band and the running of the 134th Kentucky Derby on the big screen.

Purchase this photo

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Jockeys struggle to keep their balance as they race in the annual Donkey Derby on May 13, 2006, in this file photo. This year’s Donkey Derby kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Purchase this photo