About 1 week ago my husband and I attended a Kentucky Derby event in Beaufort, SC. I saw the advertisement on Facebook and thought let’s give this a try. It was hosted by the local Black Chamber of Commerce. If you know me, I don’t mind supporting a Black event. It was an enjoyable time with a warm welcome and warm goodbye. Here’s some highlights.
Seersucker and Sundress Soiree
1. Fastest Horse
I’ve never been to the Kentucky Derby, nor have I bet on a horse before. There were about 20 to chose from. If your horse won, you won a prize. We actually entered that contest twice. I love to win, so why not. Well the outcome didn’t turn in our favor. I was going to pick Maximum Security or Country House, but I chose Code of Honor. My husband chose Tax.
The derby began at 650pm. The two flat screens mounted on the walls had eyes glued from both directions. The folks were riled up with arms stretched cheering. You’d think they won some real big money. Instantly Maximum Security was declared the winner. Since multiple folks betted on him, one winner needed to be declared. And so it was, the winner was a guy from the young generation like us. He just had to mention he was from Kentucky in his acceptance speech.
Maybe an hour later, the news reported that Maximum Security was disqualified. Country House was now the winner. I said I was going to contact Ms. Wilma and see if the Kentucky raised winner was going to be stripped of his gift.
2. Best Dress
This included men and women. Let me tell you the women looked great and so did the the men, although it was just a handful of them. They were boo’d up of course. Most women wore dresses. Some long, some short, but with an array of colors like green, mauve, white, blue polka dots, red and white floral, and cobalt blue. I had on my strapless yellow sundress.
Winners were determined by the secret group of judges. One of the beautiful seniors won best dressed woman. She wore a white jumpsuit. It was cute. However the other ladies at my table disagreed with the decision. I can’t lie, I disagreed too. She should have won for best hat. It was big, sheer, and black with a few frills. I’ve seen that hat before and didn’t buy it because I knew I’d wouldn’t be going anywhere to where it.
Best dressed man should have went to my husband. I’d hear people at different tables saying they liked his seersucker suit. He did clean up well like the old folks say. The guy who actually won had on a similar suit like my husband, but he had on blue shoes. Maybe that wowed the judges.
3. Best Hat
The women at the Kentucky Derby always have on a fancy hat. At the soiree there were big hats like mine. Then there were small ones with the bird cage attached. For the women, the best hat went to a lady wearing a khaki colored, floppy sun hat with a bow in the back. It appears as though it could be hand made. Our table was still shocked that the big black hat didn’t win. I don’t know who won for the men.
4. Mint Julep
It’s a staple at the Kentucky Derby. This was my first time drinking it. It was good. I drank it on ice with the mint leaves floating in my cup. If Mint Juleps aren’t your thing, there was no need to fear as a bar was present to meet your needs.
5. Food
The food was tasty! You could get as much as you want. The items served included grit cakes, gravy, steak sliders, rice, and shrimp to name a few.
6. Music
The DJ had the party rocking. As soon as we walked up to the door you could feel the energy. I forget her name, but this sistah did her thang! She played old school R&B, Beyonce, Tucka, and dance floor classics like, “Cha Cha Slide” and “Biker Shuffle”.
7. Venue
The event took place at the Black Chamber of Commerce which isn’t far from the waterfront. The decor was very pretty. Deep red live roses were the centerpieces. Paper roses served as beautiful backdrops for photos.
Ms. Wilma was kind enough to let us tour the entire multi-level building. She said the original building burned down last year, so they all were excited to have a new building. If you want to host an event or need a business space to rent in Beaufort please contact the Black Chamber of Commerce.
8. Art Gallery
Next door to the event space was an art gallery with breathtaking art reflecting Black and African culture. Some of the paintings will remind you of childhood, going to grandma’s house, sweetgrass basket making, and the beauty of Black love.
9. African Clothing & Accessories
In the same location of the art gallery is Ngome LifeStyle, a boutique which houses vibrant African clothing and accessories like fans, scarves, head wraps, and earrings. I’ve been wanting an African dress for a while. After searching the racks, I found a dress, but I wasn’t crazy about the color or neckline. I held on to the pretty patterned dress, but was still talking myself out of it. Then a young lady came up and persuaded me to try it on. I put the dress on and fell in love. I came out of that dressing room walking like Naomi Campbell! That dress was mine.
10. Relax in Beaufort
It might be 10 years since I’ve been to Beaufort. I came for a nursing continuing education class at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Beaufort is quiet and beautiful. There’s water all around. Seems like there’s huge oak trees with moss hanging from the branches on every road. It’s a very relaxing atmosphere. The old folks we sat with chuckled saying they left New York to come to Beaufort because they didn’t want to have anything to do. They were done with the city life.
While in Beaufort you can take a short drive to the adjacent water surrounding cities such as Parris Island, Lady’s Island and St. Helena Island. St. Helena Island is the home of 2013 American Idol winner, Candice Glover. In addition to relaxing, you can take some time and learn a little too. There’s some rich history in Beaufort including the home of Robert Smalls and the Penn Center, a national historic landmark and the first school in the South for formerly enslaved West Africans. Fun fact, my great-great grandmother went to that school.
