Arts & Humanities heads to the track for fundraiser

By BRENDA ERICKSON
Register & Bee staff writer
Members of the Danville Area Association for the Arts & Humanities decided to head for the track when they were looking for an innovative new fundraiser to raise money for its season and other special projects.
But not just any track. The organization was inspired by one of the most prestigious of all racetracks, and decided to celebrate the Kentucky Derby with Derby Day, an event modeled after the first jewel in the Triple Crown that will feature indoor track racing, contests, food and beverages.
Derby Day will include a chance to win prizes by betting on local horse favorites, with all arrivals receiving a cache of play money upon arrival.
According to Arlyne McDowell and Jane Reid, the event will model those
at Churchill Downs, with odds on winning horses — named by local sponsors — changing with placed bets.
Winners can later turn their money in for a collection of prizes ranging from a stay at the II Georges Inn, a golf bag with accessories, gift certificates from Ben David Jewelers and Wood’s Menswear as well as other prizes.
In addition to traditional mint juleps, the event’s refreshments will include derby pie, Kentucky bourbon balls and Kentucky jam cake, along with other fare.
Other features will be a hat contest paying tribute to the Kentucky Derby’s fashion statements, along with a chance to watch the Kentucky Derby on a big screen.
The fundraiser is being held to raise funds for the Danville arts organization, not only for its annual performing art series — generally five shows including a family-themed event — but also arts performances in area schools (they just wrapped a successful production of “Frankly Ben”) as well as a scholarship aimed at students pursuing performing arts study.
The group also funds a program providing a new book to every third-grader in the county.
And although the organization does raise some money through ticket sales, “it probably doesn’t cover half of our costs now,”
McDowell said.
For businesses interested in naming rights, sponsors are still being sought for some horses.
Derby Day runs from 3 to 7 p.m. May 3 at the Institute for Advanced Learning &|
Research, 150 Slayton Ave.
Tickets for the event are $55 and are available at Bronx Boy Bagels, Dixie Bags and the Gingerbread House, as well as the Danville Area Association for the Arts & Humanities, 635 Main St.
For more information, call (434) 792-6965.