It was the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4th and the next best place to be if you couldn’t make your way to Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY was just down the road at Evangeline Downs Racetrack.
The St. Landry Chamber Foundation held a Kentucky Derby Party inside Mojo’s Sports Bar at Evangeline Downs Race Track. Derby Day has become an annual event hosted by the Chamber Foundation coinciding with the running of the famous Kentucky Derby horse race as a fun and exciting social gathering that aims to raise funds for their educational youth scholarship programs.
The event delivered a fun experience that made you feel as though you were really there among Derby Day fans yet still in the presence of local company. The party brought together many guests and supporters of the Chamber Foundation, all decked out in their finest Kentucky Derby-style attire complete with elaborate hats and vibrant sundresses.
A great selection of food and sweets were provided to guests as they mingled amongst each other on which horse was the one to wager on.
The party also provided a fun chance for guests to participate as best in show, taking the stage hoping to place in Best Dressed and Best Couple.
A large gift basket valued at $450 was also raffled off during the evening containing a generous selection of spirits donated by Republic National Distributing Company, complete with whiskey glasses, wooden coasters from Open Ended Custom Woodworks, and a wreath from French Needle Embroidery.
The charity event grossed approximately $10,000 which will help provide financial assistance to local students pursuing higher education. Last year 10 local students were selected from a number of applicants to receive a scholarship.
The Foundation has been helping shape the future since its inception in 2020 for local students through financial assistance with Chamber Foundation Youth Scholarship Programs.
“Without the support of our members & community, we would not be able to provide scholarship opportunities to the deserving students graduating in St. Landry Parish”
The St. Landry Chamber of Commerce is more than just a business-to-business organization. Chamber members go above and beyond to promote positive change with community involvement projects throughout the year. With charity events like Derby Day and youth programs which include a Jr. CEO Summer Camp and Youth Leadership Council Program, the foundation has been able to provide local students additional support and resources to pave the way for their future.
Courtney Jennings, Contributing Writer/Editor
