Published: April 26, 2008 08:57 pm      

Locals to celebrate the derby

Events in Louisville this weekend may grab the national spotlight, but Richmond will have its own share of gala events.

On Friday evening, Hospice Care Plus will host its second annual Run for the Roses at Acres of Land Winery

The Richmond Area Arts Council will host its annual Derby Day Brunch and Arts Festival on Saturday morning.

The Run for the Roses, held the past two years at White Hall State Shrine, is the successor to the Spring Thing of the previous three years.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the new Hospice Care Plus’s Compassionate Care Center opened this month in Richmond.

“Unlike a horse race, our Run for the Roses is a sure bet for a night of elegance and fun,” Angie Pickle, Hospice Care Plus special event coordinator.

“This year’s event has experienced great success already. The planning committee, made up of community volunteers, has secured almost $30,000 in sponsorships,” she said.

When guests arrive at Acres of Land beginning at 7 p.m., they will be greeted with mint juleps as cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served. Dinner will be served at 8:30. The evening will feature traditional derby rose décor, with live jazz music and an open dance floor.

Seating limited to 350, and tickets are $100 per person. To reserve, call Pickle at 986-1500 or 1-800-506-5492.

RAAC Derby Brunch

“We will have activities for the entire family set up on Water Street on Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m.,” said Marie Fore, RAAC’s interim executive director. The city of Richmond will close off part of West Water Street for the event.

In addition to live entertainment both indoors and out, local artists and crafts people will have booths set up along the street, selling hand-made art works. Among the many craft items on display, the Madison County Extension Homemakers will be selling handbags made from old Eastern Kentucky University marching band uniforms.

No admission is charged for the street festival, which will include large inflatables and a stick horse race for children 10 and younger. Adults may compete in the derby hat contest.

Outdoors, The Cabin Boys of Madison County will perform from 9 to 10:40 a.m. The Carwiles of Lexington will be on tap from 11 to 11:45. Both groups play traditional Kentucky music.

Inside the RAAC Performance Hall, Nick Lawrence off WUKY’s “Curtains at 8” and the Kentucky Trio will perform as guests enjoy the RAAC Derby Brunch meal. Brunch seatings are at 10 and 11:30. Lawrence and The Kentucky Trio will perform “Celtic and Appalachian inspired jazz.”

The rose center pieces from Friday night’s Run for the Roses will adorn the brunch tables.

The brunch is free for RAAC members., and reservations are preferred.

An individual RAAC membership is $30. Family memberships are $60.

Membership donations help RAAC provide high-quality performances and educational programs for the community, Fore said.

For details, call RAAC 624-4242.