… and they’re off! But the hats are on

By Sage Merritt

Published: April 29, 2008

T here’s no experience like putting on a fancy hat, sipping mint juleps, speculating on horses and socializing before watching the Kentucky Derby live at Churchill Downs.
For those who want to spend their weekend a little bit closer to home than Kentucky, however, the Wayne Theatre Alliance has a suggestion — put on a fancy hat, sip mint juleps, speculate on horses and socialize before watching the Kentucky Derby on the big screen, right here in Waynesboro.
The “Horses and Hats” Kentucky Derby Party, taking place this Saturday at 3 p.m. at the home of Pat and J.D. Robb, of Waynesboro, will give attendees the chance to take part in a time-honored, Southern high-society tradition — gathering to socialize and watch the Kentucky Derby. The event will feature refreshments, games, two big-screen televisions on which to watch the race and a hat contest, among other festivities.
“We can’t gamble, of course, because that would be against the law,” said J.D. Robb, host of the party and member of the Wayne Theatre Alliance board. “We will play games and award prizes, though. It’ll be a fun way to get out and socialize and enjoy a traditional event.”
The event will be catered; food, wine and other refreshments will be complementary. Tickets will cost $25, proceeds to benefit the Wayne Theatre Alliance. Souvenir mint julep glasses donated by Blue Moon Galleries will be auctioned off, also to benefit WTA. Ladies should plan to wear their fanciest Southern Belle-style hat for the hat contest.
The party is the fourth event in the WTA’s Parade of Events 2008, a series to benefit the Wayne Theatre Alliance’s restoration efforts and introduce the community to the variety of entertainment and cultural programming that will be offered by the Wayne Theatre.
“It’s more participation than it is fundraising,” said Clair Myers, executive director of the Wayne Theater Alliance. “I suppose the bottom line of all this is that the Alliance really wants everyone to understand that the Wayne is a facility for the community, not a select few.”
Remaining events on the Parade of Events 2008 include a “Walk Down Memory Lane” Home Tour on May 10, a tour of historic homes on the Tree Streets as well as refreshments at two historic inns; and the “Bluegrass, Blue Jeans and Barbecue” Bluegrass Concert, to be held June 14.
The Robbs’ home can comfortably seat around 75-80 people, but tickets are limited. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. and last until after the running of the Kentucky Derby, roughly 6:30 p.m. Tickets, $25 each, are available through the Wayne Theatre office at 533 W. Main St., or by calling (540) 943-9999. For more information about the “Horses and Hats” Kentucky Derby Party or the Parade of Events 2008, visit http://www.waynetheatre.org.