Five Fun Facts about the Kentucky Derby Garland of Roses
American Pharoah's Garland of Roses. Image via Kentucky Derby.
Perhaps the most iconic and memorable of all Kentucky Derby traditions is the garland of red roses that is placed around the winning horse. This custom has earned the Kentucky Derby the nickname “The Run for the Roses®”, but how much do you know about the Kentucky Derby red rose? Here are some fun facts for your Derby Day.
· Roses were first used in the 1896 Derby, when winner Ben Brush received an arrangmenent of pink and white roses.
· The red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby in 1904.
· The Derby was given the nickname “The Run for the Roses” in 1925 by sports columnist Bill Corum. The phrase was trademarked by Churchill Downs Inc. in 2009.
· Burgoo King, the winner of the 58th running of the Kentucky Derby, won the first garland of roses as we know it today.
· The Derby Garland has been crafted by Kroger since 1987. The Derby Garland is 122 inches long and 22 inches wide, and weighs approximately 40 lbs. More than 450 Rainforest Alliance Certified "Freedom" roses are placed on the garland.
Burgoo King
Lilly Pulitzer Kentucky Derby Quilt
Happy Derby Weekend, y'all!
I've shown you most of my quilt collection before, but this may just be the most special one of all!
Several years ago, we were able to find some yardage of this gorgeous Lilly Pulitzer print on eBay. The print is "Low Riders," and it features gorgeous shades of mint, periwinkle, and butter, as well as horses and some rather iconic spires.
Of course, it's no secret that Lilly and Derby go hand in hand! My local Lilly Pulitzer store, The Peppermint Palm, goes all out for Derby; they always work with local milliners to match the latest Lilly prints, host the Derby Festival Princesses, and generally have lots of Derby-time fun!
The ties between the Lilly Pulitzer brand and the equestrian lifestyle go back to Mrs Pulitzer's own love of horses. The late Mrs Pulitzer often cited these ties to her own childhood memories of traveling to Kentucky from her family's upstate New York home to watch her stepfather's horses run at Churchill Downs. As a young adult, Lilly even served as a horseback courier for the Frontier Nursing Service in southeastern Kentucky!
My Lilly Derby quilt is such a special keepsake, because it combines so many things that I absolutely love -- Lilly Pulitzer, the Kentucky Derby, and the priceless feeling of having a quilt made by my grandmother!
Happy Derby, y'all!
Check out more Quilt of the Week posts here:
- Navy + Blue Bear Paw Quilt
- Orange + Green Halloween Quilt
- Pink + White Dresden Plate
- Blue + White Kentucky Wildcats
- Pink + White Double Wedding Ring
- Yellow + Green Grandmother's Flower Garden
- Pink + Green Plaid Butterfly
- Red + White Ohio Star
- Pink + White Kentucky Wildcats Patchwork
- Pink + Green Lilly Pulitzer Patchwork Quilt
- Pink + Green Hearts + Polka Dots Quilt
- Blue + Brown Kitchen Patchwork Quilt
- Red + Green Christmas Patchwork Quilt
- Poinsettia + Christmas Tree Quilt
My Old Kentucky Home
The history of Kentucky's state song
Image ©Glenda McCoy
"The Sun Shines Bright on My Old Kentucky Home…”
The lyrics of Kentucky’s state song bring a tear to the eye of even the most cynical track-goer. In fact, one of the most sentimental moments of Kentucky Derby Day is when the crowd – led bythe University of Louisville Marching Band—sings Stephen Foster’s nostalgic ballad, My Old Kentucky Home. But did you know that My Old Kentucky Home was once regarded as a powerful anti-slavery message?
My Old Kentucky Home Music Box, Louisville Stoneware
The story goes that songwriter Stephen Foster, whom many consider to be the father of American music, wrote My Old Kentucky Home in 1852, after reading Harriet Beecher Stowe’s famous abolitionist novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. The original lyrics of the ballad told the story of enslaved servants who’d been sold from a peaceful and happy life in Kentucky into a harsh existence in the Deep South. The grief of the narrators as they recall better times with their families led famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass to note that the song engenders "the sympathies for the slave, in which antislavery principles take root, grow, and flourish."
U of L Marching Band plays My Old Kentucky Home, image via Kentucky Derby.
The lyrics of My Old Kentucky Home were later adapted to reflect a more generalized nostalgia for the Bluegrass State. The ballad was first played at the Kentucky Derby and was named Kentucky’s state song in 1928. Kentucky Governor A.B. “Happy” Chandler famously sang the song at University of Kentucky basketball games, and actor Johnny Depp led what could easily be characterized as the weirdest version at a memorial service for his fellow Kentuckian, writer Hunter S. Thompson. The Bardstown, Kentucky mansion that is said to be the setting for My Old Kentucky Home has been a beloved state park since the 1930s, and the song is now associated with the greatest aspects of Kentucky, especially The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.
On Derby Day, before you place your bets and sip your julep, please take a moment to sing along to My Old Kentucky Home and remember that the song has a history of both social justice and deep love for the Commonwealth of Kentucky!
“…For The Old Kentucky Home, Far Away…”
This post was brought to you by The Kentucky Derby Book, an interactive media experience that brings The Run for the Roses ® to your coffee table.
Ten Things You Probably Didn't Know About George Clooney
Ten things you probably didn't know about Kentucky native and actor George Clooney.
On May 6, 1961, George Timothy Clooney was born in Lexington, KY, the younger child of journalist Nick Clooney and his wife, Nina. George, the nephew of singer and actress Rosemary Clooney, made his TV debut at age 5 on his father's Cincinnati-based talk show, and grew up in the Bracken County, KY town of Augusta. He was clearly a charm from a young age.
Young George with his older sister, Ada.
In honor of everybody's favorite Kentucky-born birthday boy, I thought it would be fun to do a little trivia this morning. Here are 10 things you probably didn't know about George Clooney.
George Clooney and Brad Pitt dance at a 2013 Oscars after-party.
- George was a high school athlete; he tried out for the Cincinnati Reds, but he didn't make the team.
- He is the only person ever to be nominated for an Academy Award in six categories.
- Although George rose to fame playing Dr. Doug Ross in the NBC medical drama ER, he previously had a supporting role in the similarly-named Elliot Gould sitcom E/R, which ran on CBS for one season.
- He was arrested in 2012 for a planned protest at the Sudanese embassy in Washington, DC.
- George attended classes at Northern Kentucky University, the University of Cincinnati, and the Beverly Hills Playhouse. He dropped out of NKU to to make a low-budget movie with his cousin Miguel Ferrer.
- George has been married twice: first to actress Talia Balsam (Mona on Mad Men) and currently to attorney Amal Alamuddin.
- George is a distant relative to perhaps the most famous Kentuckian of all: His maternal great-great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Sparrow, was a half-sister to Nancy Hanks, mother of Abraham Lincoln.
- For years, George had a pet potbellied pig named Max. He credits Max with saving his life, by waking him up before the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake.
- He guest-starred on classic 1980s TV shows including The Golden Girls and Murder, She Wrote, as well as his parts on The Facts of Life and Roseanne.
- George is the co-owner of a premium tequila label, Casamigo. One of his partners in the Casamigo brand is his friend and neighbor Rande Gerber (Cindy Crawford's husband.)
George with his mother, Nina.
From all of us here at HerKentucky, Happy Birthday, George!!
Celebrate Mom with Graeter's!
Sunday is Mother's Day, and I've teamed up with Graeter's to share some ways to make your mom's day a sweet one.
Graeter's is, of course, the handcrafted French Pot ice cream favored by Sarah Jessica Parker, George Clooney, and a whole lot of Kentuckians. When they sent over a couple of recipes for me to try -- and share with y'all on WKYT today -- I knew they'd be huge hits for Mother's Day dinner.
Brownie Parfait
This is a treat so easy that the youngest kitchen helpers can assist! Start with a couple of small brownies (I used my tried-and-true recipe of boxed brownie mix with a splash of bourbon and a sprinkling of sea salt). Layer a brownie, a spoonful or two of chocolate pudding, then another brownie and another dab of pudding. The recipe calls for vanilla ice cream and chocolate pieces, but I opted for Graeter's Bourbon Ball, my favorite local flavor. Of course, top with some whipped cream!
Strawberry Shortcake
• 2 pints ripe strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 5 prepared strawberry shortcake cups
• 1 pint of Graeter’s strawberry ice cream
Prep: 15 minutes
Ready in 45 minutes
1. Place the strawberries into a glass bowl and sprinkle with sugar. Stir condensed milk into strawberries and mash together with a fork until somewhat juicy. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Place each shortcake cup onto a dessert plate. Evenly divide the strawberries and their juice among the shortcake cups. Top with whipped cream to serve.
Five Tips for a Great At-Home Derby Party
When I think of favorite Kentucky Derby memories, there are, of course, stories about sitting right at the Finish Line, over-the-top Derby Parties, and elaborate hats. But, the truth is, some of my very favorite Kentucky Derby Memories are family parties when I was a kid. I can remember sitting in my grandmother's living room -- at a home where drinking or gambling would never be permitted -- and watching the Derby with my cousins. It was always so special to realize that Kentucky was the focus of the entire sports-loving world for the afternoon!
Here are some great tips for hosting a memorable Derby party at home.
1. Keep an assortment of great beverages!
When you think of Derby Day, of course you think of mint juleps! But, y'all know that everybody doesn't like the Kentucky Derby's signature cocktail. Try an Ale-8 "minty julep" mocktail for the kids. Keep some sweet tea and lemonade on hand for those who choose not to imbibe. Maybe mix up a batch of bourbon slush. Have a couple bottles of good bourbon on hand -- a high-wheat and a high-rye should satisfy everyone's tastes. And don't forget that crushed ice makes it all a little more festive!
2. Keep it low-key!
There's no need to pull out the fine china or even the silver julep cups. Make your guests feel comfortable with everyday serving pieces. I LOVE the mint julep cups from Louisville Stoneware. These carafes are only $3 at Target right now. And Derby glasses are always appropriate! I love using a well-loved quilt as a tablecloth. And colorful Fiestaware is always great for a party.
3. Everybody loves a tiny bite!
Make boxed brownie mix something extraordinary by adding a splash of bourbon to the mix, then topping the cooled brownies with a liberal sprinkling of sea salt; cut into tiny, bite-sized squares. Serve sweet Sister Schubert rolls as sliders with salty country ham. Mini hot browns and individual-sized Derby-Pies® are always great tastes of Kentucky!
4. Play some games.
Download a jockey silks template and let kids (and grown-ups!) design their own silks. Draw names of the horses in the field from a bowl, so everyone has a horse to cheer for. (If your crowd is gambling-friendly, set up a small pool for the race winner!) And purchase cheap feathers and flowers from a craft store to decorate Derby hats. Purchase a few extra Derby glasses for party favors that will remind your guests of the fun day.
5. Sing My Old Kentucky Home!
Don't forget the state song. It's a great Derby tradition!
Here's to a fun, laid-back Derby at home!
Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses
Yesterday, the lovely ladies at The Peppermint Palm invited me to meet the Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses! Aren't they lovely?
With Derby approaching, and the Derby Princesses fulfilling their royal duties, I thought it would be fun to re-post this guest post by our friend Grace Wainwright, the gorgeous Louisville-based fashion blogger from A Southern Drawl. Back in 2014, Grace was kind enough to describe her experiences as a Derby Festival Princess for HerKentucky readers.
Hey y’all! I’m Grace, the gal over at A Southern Drawl --my personal style blog of all things southern, stylish, and awkward. I’d like to describe my style as preppy, classic, and feminine (yet very much unexpected at times). My personality, on the other hand, is quite different. Yes, I may say y’all and may be a George Strait fan, but I’m not the typical southern proper girl. I come from a large Lebanese family that’s always in your business. {There’s no such thing as privacy in my family.} So, pretty much here’s the equation of my life: Lebanese + South = Comedy. I’m sarcastic, loud, blunt, and despite “popular” belief, I’m not graceful, have no poise, and trip in public daily {if not more}. Sounds tragic, right? Right.
…and then I became a Kentucky Derby Festival Princess. Go ahead, gasp. I was pretty shocked too, to be honest. But, don’t worry, I’ll give you some background.
Kentucky Derby Festival {KDF} kicks off with Thunder Over Louisville {April 12} and consists of nearly 70 events leading up to the good ol’ Kentucky Derby {go baby go!}. As for the KDF Royal Court {that’s me!}—we act as ambassadors for Louisville and represent the community at all of the functions and Derby Festival activities. That means we attend nearly every event {and keep in mind that all the princesses are full-time students}. The princesses are chosen out of more than 100 applicants with two interviews, the last being given by out-of-state judges. How are we selected? Knowledge of the Derby Festival, Poise, Intelligence, Personality, and Campus/Community Involvement.
All of the Princesses; Photo Taken by Marvin Young
So, I’m a Derby Festival Princess. What now? First, I wear my crown and pray that I don’t trip and break its precious stones. Chances are pretty high for that, y’all. Second, the great sponsors, like Macy’s, Anthropologie,Dillard’s, Gretchen Scott , and many more dress us until we’re looking as fabulous as can be. {I always love getting to do what I do best—try on clothes and shop}. Third, we get to be ambassadors for the KDF events and functions and strut our stuff everywhere. A scholarship is also given to us by The Fillies, which is quite the perk too. So here’s to me {and the other four gorgeous princesses} proceeding through these last couple of weeks without doing anything too traumatizing to the public and to us enjoying every fleeting second of this. Oh wait, and to always remembering that the soup spoon is scooped away from your body and not towards {etiquette lesson of the day}.
Fairy tales never included princesses taking selfies with the Governor... Pretty cool, eh? {Photo Taken By Marvin Young.}
Feel free to stop on by over here to get your daily dose of sarcasm and style from yours truly. I promise I don’t bite…well, sometimes.