This year, May 5 marks not just Cinco de Mayo, but the 138th Kentucky Derby. If you prefer bourbon to tequila, here are some local events planned to honor "The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports." Dine Kentucky-style at Max's Tavern, 1000 West Columbus Blvd., Springfield, which hosts a Derby Day party from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday....
In this Saturday, May 7, 2011 file photo, Tamara Sorrell, from Austin, Tx., wears her Derby hat before the 137th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. This year, May 5 marks not just Cinco de Mayo, but the 138th Kentucky Derby. If you prefer bourbon to tequila, here are some local events planned to honor "The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports."
Dine Kentucky-style at Max's Tavern, 1000 West Columbus Blvd., Springfield, which hosts a Derby Day party from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The menu features southern comfort food like beer cheese toast, bourbon BBQ pork on Grafton cheddar biscuits, "rolled oysters" on Benedictine crostini, hot brown sandwiches, BBQ shrimp with cheddar grits and pecan pie with mint julep gelee. 413-746-6299, maxstavern.com.
The 3rd Annual Kentucky Derby Bluegrass BBQ in Look Park kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, featuring live bluegrass bands, a fiddlers' competition and Derby bets for a chance to win tickets and prizes. Admission is $5. Picnics are welcome, but no beverages (beer, wine, water, soft drinks are available for purchase.) Information: kentuckyderbybbq.com.
For serious thoroughbred-racing wagerers, Winners Bradley Teletheater features flat-screen TV walls and two movie-size screens, a variety of concession options and a race book with grandstand seating. 11 Schoephoester Road, Windsor Locks, 860-623-0380. mywinners.com.
Connecticut's casinos are throwing all-day Derby parties. At Mohegan Sun, doors open at 10 a.m., with 30 open betting terminals and nine screens showing all the action.
Guests who wager $25 will receive a commemorative Mohegan Sun derby souvenir; a $50 wager gets you a trip to the buffet, with mint juleps and other special food and drink items. Information: mohegansun.com.
And at Foxwoods, the daylong festivities feature a "Derby Hat Parade," with a red carpet walk and hat contest (award categories include Most Creative, Most Beautiful and Most Outrageous.)
Guests can bet at 10 wagering windows or five self-serve terminals. A $25 wager gets you a complimentary mint julep and a trip to the Kentucky Derby buffet. Information: foxwoods.com.