Watch the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” locally with 200 people who have all joined together to help kids with special needs.
The goal of Victory Gallop’s 12th annual Kentucky Derby Gala May 4 at Fairlawn Country Club is to provide scholarships for its therapeutic horseback riding program. Some of these children with conditions such as autism and ADHD would not be able to participate otherwise. Funds raised will also assist Victory Gallop’s Petie the Pony to continue to make bedside hospital visits to children at Akron Children’s and Rainbow Babies and Children’s hospitals.
Pre-race, begin betting at 5 p.m. on the silent auction items tied to the latest line up of 3-year-old thoroughbreds. Then, enjoy the “race for the roses” on giant screen TVs. There will be plenty of southern charm as ladies wearing elaborate hats and men sporting bow ties get their picture taken with a horse from the Victory Gallop program. Watch to see which horse claims the $1.45 million prize while sipping mint juleps, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.
Find out what's happening in Fairlawn-Bathfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After the race, enjoy dinner and dancing and watch how the oral and live auctions play out. A Parade of Hats is always a highlight of this fun evening.
All proceeds of the Kentucky Derby Gala benefit Victory Gallop, a non-profit therapeutic riding center located in Bath Township that assists children with life-threatening illness and behavioral and or emotional challenges. This year’s honorary guest is world renowned concert pianist Tat Nagashima.
Find out what's happening in Fairlawn-Bathfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We feel very fortunate to have Tat as a longtime supporter of our mission,” said Sue Miller, co-executive director of Victory Gallop. “He is always working behind the scenes to help us. He has raised more than $40,000 over the past five years by offering private concerts to benefit our program.”
Many sponsorship packages are available, including the Triple Crown ($5000), Run for the Roses ($2500), Winner’s Circle ($1250) and Trainer ($500). Individual tickets are available for $125 each. Victory Gallop is also looking for additional live and silent auction items to offer that evening.
For more information about the Kentucky Derby Gala and Victory Gallop, please call 330-666-0300.