Derby Sunday BBQ

The Kentucky Derby is run on the first Saturday in May. The next day, on Sunday, a Burgoo & BBQ party is traditionally held in Bardstown.

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We gussied up to attend the Derby BBQ at My Old Kentucky Home state park. It used to be called the Governor’s Barbeque, and the last few years the state park has hosted the event. We weren’t sure what to expect, and were pleasantly surprised at the excellent party the park put together.

Being Derby weekend, fancy hats were the appropriate way to celebrate.

At the insistence of our friends, we ponied up some big bucks for tickets to the VIP section. That gave us table seating in a special section, an open bar all-day with top shelf bourbons, and free BBQ provided by expert vendors from around state. Burgoo, which is a traditional stew, was cooked in a big iron kettle over a wood fire pit.

The Budweiser Clydesdale team was stabled at the park and delighted the crowd with a parade around the grounds. They were the only horses I saw all Derby weekend!

Over at the central pavilion, folks gathered to listen to several bands playing dance hits.

Nothing stops Kentucky ladies from showing off their plumes.

Sometimes these all-day Derby events can drag on, and I always worry about going the distance.  But this year the weather was perfection – coolish with no humidity. There was much to see and do and eat and drink. Plus the entertaining company of our great friends. The day flew by easily. Oh – here comes the Clydesdales again!

Before we knew it, the afternoon was winding down.

One last flurry of excitement when Paul lost his phone for about an hour. Turned out he tossed it in a garbage can along with a BBQ plate.

We were the last ones to leave, the shuttle buses long retired, so we hoofed it across the street to our cars.  Next year we’ll come to the state park again for Derby Sunday and hope the weather proves just as wonderful!