On May 3, the Italian American Club celebrated the 151st Kentucky Derby. The Derby winner was Sovereignty and Journalism took second place. Seven club members took home prize money by winning a raffle based on having correctly selected the horses for Win, Place, and Show. The Mint Juleps flowed, and the Southern picnic buffet was delicious!
Before the race, members were treated to speeches and videos that outlined the event’s storied history, famous people, red roses, and, of course, hats! Everyone dressed in their Derby finest including straw hats, seersucker clothing, and piles and piles of toile, flowers, and feathers! Rosemary Holmes won for best ladies’ hat and Alex Potapoff won for best men’s hat.
After the Derby, there was a “surprise”: Speeches and videos about the famous Italian horse race … the Palio! Tables selected Contrade flags and were led in a merry parade around the room by Bob “Mario Manicotti” Marchese!
Guests were treated to a video of a Palio de Siena and the table that selected the winning horse/contrada were all given prizes and once again were paraded around the room led by “Mario.”
There was a lot of good socializing and member camaraderie throughout the afternoon!
A big thanks to the Derby “Dream Team”: Bob Marchese and Kay Skripka, Sy Rosenthal and Judy Freidman, Jay and Sally Ward, Marchello and Sherrie Caputi, Mary Ann Fusco, Cheryl Neel, and David and Shelly Carnevale (committee chairperson).