Derby Day Potluck

Country Ham: Thinly sliced ham served in beaten biscuits is a Derby Day treat.

Cheese Grits: Cooked grits are baked with cheese, eggs, and a splash of hot sauce to make this melt-in-your-mouth Southern specialty.

Kentucky Pecan Pie: Kentucky bourbon gives this Southern classic a real kick.

Mint Juleps: The only drink to serve at a Derby Day party.

A grand tradition since 1875, the annual Kentucky Derby has been called the most exciting two minutes in sports. Devoted fans rate this "run for the roses" as one of the best reasons to throw a party, second only to New Year's Eve. So what are you waiting for?

Derby-goers are divided into two camps. On the one hand you've got the rich and famous in Millionaire's Row with their crisp linen suits and floaty silk dresses. Then there are the Infielders--earthy, raucous, and widely suspected of having more fun.

Here's how to party like you're at Churchill Downs:

• Start early so you have plenty of time for horseplay leading up to the race.
• If you're channeling Millionaire's Row, break out the white tablecloths and the good china.
• More of an Infielder? Spring for Derby-themed accessories such as the "Talk Derby To Me" party goods at atasteofkentucky.com. (Hint: place your order early!)
• Hats are a must at any Derby Day party, so compete to see who's got serious hat-a-tude. Go crazy with thrift store hats, ribbons, toy horses, and hot glue guns.
• Pass out kazoos so you can all play along to the "Call to the Post."
• Go red. Make a big cardboard frame for your flat screen and glue red tissue paper roses to it. Fashion an enormous horseshoe of paper roses and fill your home with (what else) bouquets of fresh red roses.
• Visit the Derby's official site to get the inside scoop on the four-legged contenders. We're not condoning gambling, but would it hurt to make up a racing form?
• Give out Kentucky state quarters as party souvenirs--there's a thoroughbred horse on the reverse.