The Kentucky Derby was over but the racing continued -- with jockeys on stick horses -- at the fourth annual Southern Silks: A Derby Day Soiree on May 6 at the Metroplex. The affair raised money for Methodist Family Health.
Partygoers in their Derby finest -- some in seersucker, many in fancy hats -- bought betting bucks to wager on their favorite jockeys, who were selected from among the guests. Jockeys advanced on the roll of dice. Prizes were given to bettors by drawing a name from the winning horse's "bucket of bets." The jockeys received a bottle of champagne and roses. There was also a contest for best hat. Sharing the honor were Hope Sur and Susan Elliot.
Guests enjoyed mint juleps and a buffet dinner of chicken breast with cream sauce, roast beef with au jus, bourbon sweet potatoes, almond green beans and assorted cakes. There was also a wine pull and live auction featuring items such as a Harding Farm cocktail party hosted by Linda and Rush Harding, a summer supper for 30 of ribs and all the trimmings by the Here for the Beer barbecue team and a painting by Barry Thomas.
About 390 people attended, said Jane Dennis, director of communications. The event raised more than $137,000 for Methodist Family Health, a nonprofit agency that provides psychiatric and behavioral health care to Arkansas children and families through a network of residential and outpatient programs.
-- Story and photos by Cary Jenkins
High Profile on 05/14/2017