Kentucky Derby Party Ideas & Free Printables
Plan a fun and stylish Derby party with our unique Kentucky Derby party ideas and free printables!
It’s spring in Kentucky which means only one thing, it’s Derby Time!! I know that you’ve heard me say it before, but Derby time in Kentucky is one of my favorite times of the year. There are loads of great activities for families and the whole city puts on a great show to welcome everyone to town. This post is sponsored by Chinet & BlogHer.
We have had a Kentucky Derby Party several times – it’s usually very kid-friendly and casual. This year, I was inspired to plan something a bit fancier and pinning Kentucky Derby Party ideas like crazy.
The Kentucky Derby is also known as the “Run for the Roses” because of the large and gorgeous blanket of roses that is draped over the winning horse at the end of the race.
I was so inspired by the red of the roses that I thought I’d plan a black, white, and red Derby Party this year.
Even though the stores are stocked with Derby partyware every year, I can never seem to find just what I’m looking for. So I designed a set of printables to perfectly coordinate with my Derby Party, and the good news is that I’m sharing these printables with you.
Kentucky Derby Party Printables
I’ve created a set of free Printables perfect for a Derby Party. Included in the printables are:
- Subway Art
- Prize Ribbon Centers
- Cupcake Pics
- Run for the Roses Banner
These DIY Prize ribbons are a very fun and unique Derby idea. You just make a rosette out of scrapbook paper and hot glue the ribbons to the back and the printable centers to the front.
How to Make Custom Party Plates
Since I worked so hard to design a set of perfectly coordinated party decorations, I also wanted to find a set of perfectly coordinated disposable tableware. I wanted it to be disposable but still nice. I ended up going with the Chinet® Cut Crystal® products.
They coordinate perfectly with each other (they all have the same swirl pattern) and they are clear so they go with everything I already had. No worrying about finding the perfect shade of red for the plates.
My favorite thing about the Chinet® Cut Crystal® plates is that it has a center that is flat, so I could add my own image to the plate.
You can make totally custom disposable dinner plates! I simply printed the image out on my printer, then cut it out the size of the plate center (which is just under 7″).
To create the plates, use a tiny bit of spray mount and glue the image to the back of the plate. Since the image is on the back of the plate, you can still use the dinnerware… it’s disposable anyway, so why not add a pop of something to the plate?
I’ve also included printables (just the right size) of the two dinner plate images for you.
You can find ALL OF THE PRINTABLES information at the BOTTOM of this post.
No party is complete without a fun banner!! You can also download this fun “Run for the Roses” banner.
Derby Pie Cupcakes Recipe
Several years ago I got the idea to turn the flavors of a Derby Style Pie into a Cupcake. I’m happy to share the recipe with you.
Add a bit of fun to your party by creating our Derby Cupcakes and styling them with a cupcake pic.
To make the cupcake pics, simply print the image, cut it out with a circle or scallop punch, and tape it to a toothpick.
A Few other Derby Party Decor Ideas
Some other fun party ideas!
- Prepackage and tie the silverware together with a ribbon that matches your party decor.
- Serve fruit or other treats in individual clear cups.
- Add paper bow ties (or real bow ties if you have a lot of extra ones) to your serving glasses.
- Hang Derby-themed award rosettes around the room for a bit of extra decor
- Use a paper table runner on a roll. It’s a great way to add some color to your party table, but it’s disposable. You can also use matte wrapping paper (like I did for our Graduation Cookie Party)
Don’t you just love the paper bow ties on the glasses? You can find loads of free bow tie templates online or cut them out with an e-cutting machine if you have one.
If you’d like to see even more Kentucky Derby Party ideas, check out my Pinterest board, sponsored by the Chinet® brand – from practical ideas to “my absolute dream” party ideas, you’ll find loads of great ideas to make your Derby Party perfect…
Also, check out the Chinet® Pinterest Page – I found lots of great ideas there when I was planning out my party. Now tell me: How do you make your occasions perfectly coordinated?
How to Get the Printables
Fill out this form and we will email you the printables.
Include are:
- Run for the Roses Banner
- Rosette Centers
- Black and White Subway Art
- Cupcake Pics
You can also purchase the printables as a set in our store if you do not want to sign up for our Newsletter.
The Printable Bundle offered in our shop includes printables that are not available anywhere else, including a Derby Trivia sheet, perfect for a party!
Other Derby Ideas you may like:
My Old Kentucky Home Gold Foil Artwork
How to Make Paper Prize Ribbons
I like when my napkins and paperware match.
I usually use accents of colors throughout the decor to reflect the party’s theme vs. using nothing but party colors.
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/451870984748822528
I like to first pick a theme. I have a few blogs I turn to for ideas. and then I go from there. I try to stick to a few colors or coordinate different patterns.
I tweeted too https://twitter.com/jessrwarfield/status/451867485306773504
I love to use Pinterest for ideas, and then I try and implement them as cheaply as possible. I do some stuff myself on photoshop and try to color coordinate
i would pick a beautiful centerpiece with fresh flowers, nice napkin holders, and lots of pastel colors. i really like how yours is set up!
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/451840462223986688
https://twitter.com/kj20082006/status/451589046515408897
I like everything to be the same 2 colors.
I usually try to color coordinate but often have to just use what we have on hand at home.
I love when you can buy plates and napkins all those item in one line for a party. I have done so many theme parties. I didn’t have but went to was indeed a Kentucky Derby party, was fun but would have been even more so with you great ideas. Thanks for the chance to win.
i could not tell the small plate printable from the large plate printable and there were no printables for the cupcakes
love t he idea just need the rest of it thanks
Great looking party ideas. Can’t wait to try these.
https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/451371120843706369
I use a couple color schemes that match and use dishes and tablecloths and coordinate the colors around what I pick. I will use clear dishes and glasses as to not have too much color that is overpowering!
https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/451369358493614082
When planning a party, I like to choose a theme first, then choose a color or group of colors to use. My mom loved purple, so her birthday parties were decorated with shades of purple. I use lots of STAMPIN’ UP inks because they come in so many shades of each color. I can even buy white tablecloths and stamp on them with stamps and colors that fit my theme. BTW I always use Chinet plates when I take cakes to funerals, family get-togethers, and potlucks. Bundt cakes fit on them very well and they fit in my carriers.