Lone Star Park celebrates the Kentucky Derby (and my Birthday!)

"Don't miss the greatest two minutes in sports!" Lone Star Park's website proclaimed in anticipation of the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby.   Lone Star Park celebrated the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, on Saturday May 5. The crowds arrived early in the afternoon for live racing and the Kentucky Derby simulcast occurred at approximately 5:24 p.m.  Fox 4's Fiona Gorostiza kicked off the day by performing the National Anthem.  Guests also enjoyed live music featuring the Roof Raisers on the Courtyard Stage.

The Top 10 Finalists

The big excitement of the day (outside of the horses) was the Kentucky Derby Hat Contest.  Because of my experience with over-the-top hats, I was asked to participate as a judge, along with Jody Dean from KVIL/103.7 Lite FM and Steve Noviello from Fox 4 News. The competition was fierce and we were tasked to hand out prizes for "Most Stylish" and "Most Creative" with the winner's taking home a $500 prize.  There were at least 100 entries, so we had a LOT of amazing chapeaus to select from. We decided to just pick out our 10 favorites and then pick the 2 winners from that pool.  I loved that we had a handful of male entries!

The man in the photo below (yellow hat with red roses around his neck) was our winner for "Most Creative". His hat was a Kentucky Derby-themed creation and it had a clear plastic tube running through it. When he blew into the tube, confetti shot out of the top. It was so cool and very creative. How could we not pick this guy!?  The woman in the first photo on this post wearing the lavender polka-dot dress and a humungous purple hat was our pick for "Most Stylish".

On top of the Kentucky Derby celebration, it was also Cinco de Mayo and my birthday! So much to celebrate!  Thanks to the marketing and PR folks at Lone Star Park who really went out of their way to make it a super-fun day for me and my family. The best part was when they gave me a big 'ole shout out on the Jumbotron - and re-ran it about 25 times throughout the day. That was so cool! It didn't hurt that Moet de Chandon champagne was one of the sponsors and I got to sip on some delicious bubbles all day. Whoo hoo!

Click here to see a complete gallery of photos from this event.

Lone Star Park is located at 1000 Lone Star Parkway  Grand Prairie, Texas 75050, (972) 263-7223.  For more info., visit  http://www.lonestarpark.com. You can also connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Grab your hats, ladies. It's Derby time!

Tootsies was the place to be last Tuesday evening as hosts Kristen Fagelman, Jennifer LeLash and Mahra Railet joined with Dallas’ fashion trendsetters, Dress for Success members and patrons to kick off the Dress for Success 1st annual Lone Star Derby Luncheon.

Katy Messersmith, Leesa Smith & Jennifer LeLash

Jewelry designers Ashley LaRocca of Roc Candy Jewelry and Claudia Labao were on hand to showcase their latest collection of bling for the kick-off party.  Lisa Petty (seen below) showed up already in the Derby spirit wearing a festive chapeau made by local milliner, Ginger Strand.  Guests enjoyed an evening of wine and hors d’oeuvres, shopping and mingling.  Tootsies generously donated 15% of the evening’s sales to Dress for Success Dallas.

Cynthia Smoot & Lisa Petty model Roc Candy necklaces

Shirin Askari, Bri Crum and Jackie Placido

Joey Daniel, Dana Rose and Kristen Fagelman

 1^st annual Lone Star Derby Luncheon will be held on April 30 at Lone Star Park

About Dress for Success:
Dress for Success Dallas is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.  Dress for Success Dallas responds to the needs of our community by providing programs that help economically disadvantaged women acquire jobs, retain their positions and succeed in the mainstream workplace.

Thank you to Danny Campbell for use of his photographs.

Dress for Success Lone Star Derby 2011

The day couldn't have been more perfect to launch the Dress for Success first annual Lone Star Derby Luncheon at Lone Star Park to honor two amazing women: Shon Gables from WFAA and Katy Messersmith, founder of Katydid Collections.  Both ladies exemplify strength of character, perseverance, tenacity and grace under pressure.  They've been up, they've been down, but they never gave up. And although their stories are different, they are really still very much the same and I think every person there could relate to where they've come from and celebrate where they are today.

See fabulous photos from today's event on my Facebook Fan Page

Linh Quach

Keynote speaker Nancy Lieberman gave an inspiring and hilarious address all about girl power and never giving up on your dreams.  Funny, engaging,  great insight... she's a force to be reckoned with.  If you ever need a motivational speaker, she's worth every penny she's charging.  

But honestly, I was more moved by Dress for Success Board President, Linh Quach who immigrated to America when she was young.  She spoke of her Mother's struggle to integrate into the American culture.  It was their local church who gave her Mother a new dress and that one small gesture transformed how her Mother felt about herself and gave her a whole new confidence to go out and seek work.

Small moments change the world...

Marc Mattox & Katy Messersmith

We've all heard the saying, "Clothes make the man."  Emcee Kellie Rasberry described it best when she said, "We've all heard actors interviewed who say "I had learned the lines and watched the tapes, but it wasn't until I put on the clothes and makeup that I really felt like I became the character'.

That's what Dress for Success does for the disadvantaged women they serve. These ladies can have all the skills in the world, but unless they feel like they look the part, they don't believe it".

Angela Lone, Shon Gales & Bridget Lewis

Dress for Success Dallas is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.   

Dress for Success Dallas provides each woman in their program with one suit when she has a job interview.  When she successfully lands a job, she returns to Dress for Success Dallas for a second suit and up to a week’s worth of business appropriate separates. She also receives an invitation to join the Professional Women’s Group (PWG), our employment retention service.

To learn more about this organization, or how to donate, visit their website.

Dallas Symphony Derby 2011 Gallops Across the Line

The 2011 Wells Fargo Dallas Symphony Derby marked the fourteenth year the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League has partnered with the Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie.  Grey skies and frigid winds couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd who turned out for a fun-filled day of dining and horse racing. 

Regina Bruce and Mike Marasco

The event included an extensive buffet in the spacious Silks Dining Room that overlooked the final turn and finish line of the track.  Former NBC 5 Sports Anchor, Scott Murray, was a well-oiled machine in the live auction competition getting rousing cheers as bids topped expectations on trips and other great packages. 

Visit my Facebook Fan page to see my photo gallery from this event.

My favorite part is always wandering the extensive (and more affordable) silent auction throughout the event.  Of course, the best part of the day was the great people-watching. Ladies went all out in the Derby finery and there were a lot of great hats and beautiful outfits to see. In the end, there was something for everyone...

(left) Patricia Armstrong-Derby, Jose Reyes and Kelli Welch  (right) Rick Ortiz and Sandy Salinas

Proceeds from this event benefited the Dallas Symphony’s Education and Outreach programs.

Hats and Horses Raised Funds for Dallas Symphony’s Education and Outreach Programs

Ginger Sager, Don & Barbara Daseke, Mari Epperson

The 2014 Wells Fargo Dallas Symphony Derby event on May 4 brought the atmosphere of the famous Kentucky Derby to Dallas, complete with hats, horses and mint juleps. It marked the seventeenth year the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League has partnered with presenting sponsor Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie and the tenth year with title sponsor Wells Fargo.

Ronda Joines & Sam Spicer

The Derby included a buffet lunch in the Silks Dining Room overlooking the final turn and finish line of the track, as well as live and silent auctions with fantastic prizes. In addition, wagers on any horse race were possible with the help of a personal valet. Barbara and Don Daseke served as Honorary Chairs of the event. Ginger Sager is President of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League.

Guests had fun with a unique way of raising money. “Heads or Tails” was a spin on the old coin toss game. Guests purchased colored bead necklaces and, when the time came for the game, those with necklaces were told to choose heads or tails. They put their hands on top of their heads or their hands on their “tails”. The coin was tossed and those who lost had to step out. The last remaining person was the winner of a new mini-iPad. It added a fun way to raise additional funds.

Derby Chair Mari Epperson reminded the guests that the proceeds benefit the Dallas Symphony’s Education and Outreach Programs. “With the funds raised today, you are instrumental in keeping the music alive,” she said. “It’s the music that this event is all about.”

To learn more about the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, visit https://www.dallassymphonyleague.com.

Photos by Mikon Haaksman

DSO Derby at Lone Star Park 2010

The weather may have been drizzly and damp on Sunday, but spirits were high as the horses took to the track at the 13th annual Dallas Symphony Derby sponsored by Wells Fargo.

The invitation stated,

"Come dressed in your derby finest and hats are definitely welcome. Where else can you watch horse racing in air-conditioned comfort, while looking down on the finish line from your table. A delicious buffet awaits you and beverages will be served at your table.

If horse racing is not your thing, the people watching is spectacular and there are unique and exciting silent auction items to view and bid on and between races you can bid on priceless live auction item"

Our friends who invited us to attend as their guests were very excited to tell us that Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison was sitting right behind us. I had to break it to them, that it was NOT Kay Bailey Hutchison, but real estate maven Doris Jacobs (and her legendary helmet hair) at the table in question (you can see her in the photo above in the right-hand corner in the leopard jacket).

Former NBC 5 anchor, Scott Murray, was the MC of the live auction. There was also a silent auction with all kinds of trips and gifts and restaurant deals to be had. I had none of them, unfortunately.

I'm not a big gambler, but Randy and our friends took great delight in scouring the programs for the best horses and placing bets.

We were up, we were down, and I think we ended up pretty much where we started - so all in all it was a very fun way to spend the day!