TOD: I used to throw a derby party every year when I lived in Florida. I had a great house on a canal that the alligators used to swim in and occasionally crawl up into the backyard. You could fish back there for catfish or just sit and watch the turtles play.
Anyway, the first Saturday in May is always the Run for the Roses, and every year I would get people to play something new outside, bocce, croquet, what have you. The bocce worked well, but a couple of the croquet balls ended in the canal (and no one was willing to fetch them out).
I would smoke a turkey and make hot browns, and about 30 or so people would show up to chill out, eat too much and drink too much, and just enjoy each other's company. They were great days.
I'm having people over this Saturday, but not because it's derby day. I will have mint juleps and my version of the beloved chocolate-pecan pie, but since I don't get TV, I doubt we'll even pay attention to the race.