Charity 5K, Kentucky Derby party at Andover horse farm

Andover residents can have a blast celebrating the Kentucky Derby at an Andover horse farm on May 6 – and all the money raised will benefit nonprofit programs for children and others.

Ironstone Farm in Andover will host the “Ironstone Derby,” an afternoon 5-kilometer charity race-and-walk followed by a Kentucky Derby party– all on the day of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 6. It benefits the nonprofit work at Ironstone Farm that helps children with special needs, veterans, cancer survivors and others. Register at www.racemenu.com/ironstonederby.

The Ironstone Derby day starts with a stick-horse fun run for kids 10 and younger at 4 p.m., followed by the 5K race and walk at 4:30 p.m. Then, there’s an after-party, all at Ironstone Farm, 450 Lowell St. (Route 133), Andover, Mass. Run or walk the race, then enjoy the Kentucky Derby party on the horse farm. Some people come just for the party! There is an optional barbecue of ribs and chicken by Texas Roadhouse, with mint juleps and beer available by Lenzi’s of Dracut. Eat, play games, enjoy the live band Cilantro, compete for the best derby hat, see Ironstone Farm’s horse-and-rider drill team perform, pick a favorite horse and watch the Kentucky Derby live on a big screen after the race.

Race day is Saturday, May 6, and the race motto is "Run for the Roses - Stay for the Party!"

The Ironstone Derby 5K is a USATF-certified race. The first 500 runners and walkers who sign up are guaranteed to receive a free short-sleeve tech shirt. Children 10 and under who run the stick-horse races will receive a stickhorse and shirt.

Entry fees for the 5K are $30 for adults and $20 for youth 12 and younger. The cost is $10 for the kids stick-horse run. Register at www.racemenu.com/ironstonederby. Online registration will end Saturday, May 6 at noon. There also will be on-site race-day registration on Saturday between 3 and 4.

There is a separate $25 cost to eat at the barbecue, with $5 for the kids hotdog meal. But everyone is welcome to the party regardless. The barbecue will sell out.

Advanced packet pickup of shirts, bibs and barbecue tickets will be at Ironstone Farm’s brown farmhouse, 450 Lowell St., Andover, MA, on Friday, May 5, from 3 to 7 p.m. On race day, people are advised to arrive early and park at Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2 Radcliff Road, Tewksbury, a short distance down Route 133 from Ironstone Farm. A shuttle bus service of three buses will transport participants between the remote parking lot and the event from 3 to 7 p.m.

A prize will be awarded for the largest team. Individual prizes including roses and Burtons Grill gift certificates will be awarded to top three male and female finishers, with prizes also awarded to the top boys and girls 13 to 17, and top 12-and-younger 5K boy and girl runners.

The race benefits the nonprofit work of Challenge Unlimited Ironstone Farm, which serves children with special needs, veterans who have experienced trauma, people diagnosed with cancer, adults with special needs, teens at risk, elders with memory issues and others. Ironstone Farm serves up to 500 clients a week, using about 200 volunteers weekly. Learn more at www.ironstonefarm.org.