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What do the Kentucky Derby and the annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations have in common besides providing excuses for throwing some fun parties in the spring?

Well, for the fourth time in a row, Friends of Hospice (FOH) of the Lakeway Area decided to combine the two affairs into one fun festivity – Derby de Mayo.

Think of the fundraising event as a mash-up celebration of sorts so eventgoers do not need to decide which theme party to attend this year.

There will be margaritas and Mexican appetizers as well as mint juleps and Kentucky cuisine.

So, whether you want to wear a big floppy hat or festive sombrero, you will be in good company.

The fourth annual FOH Derby de Mayo will take place on Saturday, May 6, at the Great Smoky Farm, 7464 West Andrew Johnson Hwy, Talbott, from 5-9 p.m.

The themed event will feature an opportunity to watch the official Kentucky Derby race (scheduled at 645 p.m., which is touted as the “most exciting two minutes in sports”), enjoy both Kentucky and Mexican cuisine, bid on silent auction items featuring everything from artwork by local artisans to some wonderful gift baskets from local vendors, participate in a bourbon tasting, win a door prize, enjoy some music and dancing as well as some fun casino games and much more.

Laura Murrell, chair of the event and FOH Board member, is especially excited about the venue at Great Smoky Farm.

“It’s easy to access from 11-E and our guests can imagine a Kentucky horse farm as they drive up to the red barn. The venue will offer a fun atmosphere for the attendees and will be a great place for our new casino games,” Murrell said. “We are so excited to add a truly fun twist to this year’s event by providing casino ‘funny money’ (25K) to everyone purchasing a Derby de Mayo ticket.

“We can’t wait to see our partygoers use their funny money at the game tables hosted by professional dealers. We are so looking forward to enjoying Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Three Card Poker. Of course, seeing what everyone wears to the event also adds to the excitement,” she added. Sandy Johnson, FOH lifetime board member agreed.

She shared, “this year, Mossback Distilling will be back for a second time hosting the bourbon tasting. It’s a great opportunity to participate in an educational tasting by the local Jefferson City business and was a popular table to visit last year. The tasting was fabulous, and we learned quite a lot. We personally visit there frequently because the staff is always friendly and knowledgeable about their spirits.”

Stephanie Hamill, FOH executive director, said the fundraising event will be a welcome way to support the work of FOH and everything the organization does for the Lakeway Area.

“We moved into our current Serenity House in September 2018 and events like Derby de Mayo really support our mission,” she said.

Serenity House is a comfort-care home for area residents with a terminal illness and who have been medically determined to be in the last three months of life.

Hamill shared that the home was a unique facility and has served 419 residents (including 193 Hamblen County residents) since it opened its doors more than nine years ago.

She added that the larger facility is now able to serve even more Lakeway residents than the original Serenity House and it continues to grow with an expansion of the comfort-care home later this spring.

Hamill emphasized that the money raised by the fundraiser would also help other FOH activities including Camp Erin (formerly Camp H.U.G.S.)

This annual weekend grief camp for children (ages K-12) supports campers who have lost a loved one during the past two years.

“We have served more than 1004 children since the camp first started in 1998 and 355 campers were from Hamblen County,” she stated.

The fundraising event will open its doors at 5pm and Derby de Mayo will end at 9 p.m.

The cost for the event is $75 and includes a wonderful dinner catered by Joe Spoone featuring both Kentucky and Mexican Cuisine.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please call 423-586-5284.