6th Annual Derby on Park

Posted on by Thor

I went to sketch Derby on Park, Orlando’s Premier Kentucky Derby Party:
Presented by Mercedes-Benz of Orlando and Anthony Dinova, Realtor at the Winter Park Civic Center (1050 W Morse Blvd, Winter Park, Florida 32789). I met Melissa Marie McClain there. She had built an immense derby bonnet that had to be twice the size of any other bonnet there. It was vibrant green with a bright pink fluted lining that made it resemble a huge mushroom. Large feather thrust up to complete the look. There was a Best Hat Contest with a $500 cash prize. Melissa was sure to win. I had on a very floral dress shirt and a bow tie with a loud confetti pattern. I felt this dapper look might help me blend in.

I sketched all the ladies gathered outside at the tables. A gentleman wore a hat with a horse perched on top. It was encouraging to see a man embrace the hat contest. There were mint juleps and champagne along with plenty of food vendors. Everyone was dressed in their favorite derby attire, ready to cheer for their favorite horse.

As I was working on this sketch the Derby started inside the Civic Center. I could hear the roar of the crowd. While people were inside I tried a few of the outdoor food vendor booths. Always Dreaming won the 143rd Kentucky Derby it was over in an instant. Then came the real competition. All the ladies had to register on stage for the hat competition.

Long story short, Melissa’s huge and vibrant hat did not win the competition. The prize instead went to the wife of one of the sponsors. People kept approaching Melissa to compliment her hat. They were all sure she had one. When she explained that she didn’t win they were shocked. It wasn’t a popular vote however. We have all seen how that can go in the general elections.

The Kentucky Derby Galloped Onto Winter Park

Posted on by Thor

On May 3rd “Derby on Park” was held at the Winter Park Country Club (761 Old England Avenue Winter Park FL.) Event organizer, Anthony Dinova, invited me out to sketch the event. This was on the same day as the Kentucky Derby so women came out with their finest wide brimmed hats. I decided to sketch the well heeled crowd waiting outside for food. Several golfers were using the putting green when I started blocking in the sketch but they left when it started drizzling. Inside there was live music, wine and of course the Kentucky Derby was on TV.

The exciting ambiance of the well-renowned annual Kentucky Derby was
brought to Winter Park. This themed event boasted unlimited
craft beer and wine along with samplings of delicious food and desserts
from various local vendors for all in attendance. Guests were encouraged
to dress in their finest Derby attire with prizes for best-dressed in
several categories. With a complimentary private-labeled bottle of wine
for each guest, live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, Fashion show and
live entertainment, the prestige and energy of this coveted signature
event provided guests with the most sophisticated and stylish
afternoon outside of Churchill Downs.

As I worked on the sketch I heard the crowd inside start to cheer as the race started. The roar grew louder until the horses crossed the finish line. Terry was inside to catch all the action. There was a small retaining wall at the edge of the putting green and people used it as a bench to sit while sipping their mint juleps.  A women who came outside to get away from the claustrophobic crowd inside sat on the ledge and then unexpectedly fainted. Luckily she fell back onto the soft grass rather than forward onto the brick patio. She was revived by her friends and event organizers called the fire department and EMTs to check her vitals. She hadn’t been drinking so she couldn’t figure out why she fainted.

With the sketch done I went inside to spend time with Terry and to grab a bite to eat. A new batch of pasta was being warmed up and I waited for a bit. The crowd thinned out fast after the race but Terry and I stayed to see who won the best bonnet award. One woman had a huge bouquet of flowers on her bonnet and I was surprised that she didn’t win. Perhaps connections are more important than flourish.