On Saturday, May 3, millions of people (bettors and non-bettors alike) will have their eyes glued to the 134th "Run for the Roses," otherwise known as the Kentucky Derby. Louisville, KY--home of horse racing's Churchill Downs--will have Kentucky Derby parties out the ying-yang, but they're not alone.

Like the Superbowl, the Derby is another great reason to gather friends together for the broadcast of "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports." (This race is just full of nicknames!) All across the country, groups of fans gather to watch the race, in which three-year-old thoroughbred horses run 1 1/4 miles toward a victory blanket of vibrant, red roses and the first jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown. Men smoke cigars and drink mint juleps. Women wear wild, wide-brimmed hats (a Derby tradition) and drink mint juleps. The food includes lots of Kentucky favorites, like Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie. (Should we assume people eat like a horse at these parties?)

If this sounds like fun to you (it does to ME!) you might just want to take a break from your wedding planning to throw your own Kentucky Derby party. You can find decorations, wide-brimmed hats and fantastic recipes everywhere, but there's a noticeable lack of Derby-related party favors. And really, what's a party without favors?

MWF Saves the Day!

When you found your perfect wedding favor at MyWeddingFavors.com, did you happen to notice how many of their favors featured roses--the symbol of the Kentucky Derby? The ever-popular Rose Ball Candle comes in three colors, including the same deep red you'll see in the rose-covered blanket that covers the winning horse.

If you prefer favor boxes, you'll love this ivory favor box with a bouquet of laser-cut roses. Fill them with Old Kentucky Bourbon Chocolates or chocolate mints, and your guests will soon forget they're not really at Churchill Downs.

You might even want to carry the mint julep thing a little further. How about these personalized mint tins decorated with beautiful vines full of roses? You can put "My 2008 Kentucky Derby Party" and the date on the top of the tins and freshen the breath of all your guests.

No matter which favor you choose, your guests will appreciate your attention to detail--not to mention the opportunity to party like Louisville during this extraordinary once-a-year sporting event. When the announcer shouts, "And they're off!", there's a better-than-even chance your guests will be, too!

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