star spangled celebration
If you're planning a Star Spangled 4th of July party and wondering where to start, relax! I've done the work for you. This isn’t my first Independence Day celebration, so I’ve gathered a few resources to help those of you who may be overwhelmed planning your own 4th of July party. So pack a picnic and enjoy all the red, white, and blue inspiration from Lisa Kay’s Party Plans.
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY RIDERS UP
It seems fitting to say good-bye as we would at the Kentucky Derby, when the jockeys mount their horses, step onto the track for the post parade, and the band strikes up My Old Kentucky Home.
DAY OF YOUR KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY
Derby Party Day has finally arrived! Thank your former self for all the careful preparations you made so that you can relax and enjoy the most exciting two minutes in sports with your friends and family.
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY DRINKS & RECIPES
Since 1938, the official drink of the Derby has been the mint julep. This drink consists of bourbon, crushed ice, sugar, water, and fresh mint and is traditionally served in a frosty silver julep glass.
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY FOOD & RECIPES
For larger gatherings, I tend to favor grab-and-go food and only on special occasions do I include anything that even requires a fork.
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY ACTIVITIES
The best part about a themed party is costumes. A Derby party is one of the best events to go all out! As a host I love picking out the perfect party dress (and hat!) and I always encourage my guests to dress up as well.
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY MUSIC
I like to plan my playlist ahead of time to feature music to create the appropriate ambiance for my party. To avoid guests showing up before you’re ready (and because I have family who are notoriously early for everything), I start my playlist 30 minutes before the party is scheduled to begin.
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY DECOR
For a dapper Derby party, the must-have decor is roses! If you can’t afford a centerpiece with a hundred fresh red roses, use a few silk stand-ins, or get crafty.
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY PLANNING TIMELINE
If you have two months to plan your Kentucky Derby party, great! This gives you plenty of time to work through the details. However, if you’d like to throw together a Derby party in less time, you can zoom right through these steps and party with your friends by the weekend!
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY HISTORY
Inspired by the long-running Epson Derby in England, Meriwether Lewis Clark was determined to create a similar event in the United States.
THEME: KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY
All great parties start with a party theme. Once selected, this party theme will make the rest of the party planning a breeze.
KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY PLANNING 101
Perhaps the most important consideration when choosing to host a party is to have a solid plan. That is where I come in. I’ve got tons of ideas for you to consider in advance and timelines to help walk you through the step-by-step of getting yourself to party day.
My party-planning history
I planned my first party at the age of sixteen while still in high school. It was one of those boxed murder mysteries that helps you easily plan a fun, themed party. Inspired by my favorite 1980’s whodunit, I wrote invitations to my guests without disclosing who the actual host of the party would be. I even hosted the party at a friend’s country home to throw off any suspicion of who planned the murder mystery meeting.
Birthing lisa kay’s party plans
Over a decade ago I had an idea to create themed party plans to accompany a music playlist. At the time, I researched rights for music and quickly shelved the whole idea. A few more years passed and I was creating recipes for singles and looked into publishing a cookbook, but that idea too fizzled out. But in 2018 when I agreed to write my grandmother's memoirs, the writer in me was officially born.