The Vero Beach Museum of Art Triple Crown Gala was a winner right out of the gate, with more than 400 guests enjoying the Friday evening festivities with true Derby flair, beginning with traditional mint juleps sipped in the Kentucky Derby Tent.
Chic headwear for the ladies ranged from simple and sophisticated to Whoa, Nellie!, with plenty of fashionable fascinators to boot. Always creatively artistic, Jackie Farrell fashioned her elaborate concoction out of recycled materials, while friend Pat Anwyl sported a martini-themed fascinator.
And Nancy Puff’s showy chapeau was hard to miss; topped with a large white horse head. “Somebody made them for a tournament at John’s Island; there should be at least three or four more of these arriving,” Puff explained with a laugh. Not to be outdone, husband Bob wore a colorful jockey helmet affixed with goggles.
Others went for elegance, such as Marlynn Scully, her eyes twinkling under a vibrant spring-colored Church hat; Kathy Fennell, stunning in a beautiful pink feathered picture hat, and Kathy Mulvey, lovely in a black and white Church hat. “It’s from the Kathy Mulvey Downtown Abby collection,” she said with a smile.
The men were equally engaged, looking dapper in fedoras and bowlers, or decked out in tweeds. Although both are hands taller than any jockey, Bill Buck sported a jockey cap and Randy Thornton wore colorful silks and carried a crop.
A “First Call” bugle signaled a move indoors, with guests passing through a “shoot” creatively adorned with bits, bridles and boots. Dining took place in the Belmont Stakes Great Hall and the Preakness Stakes Atrium, each highlighted by stunning silver trophy cup centerpieces filled with red roses, white carnations or black-eyed Susan bouquets.
And after a succulent dinner by Elizabeth Kennedy & Co. Catering, featuring braised short ribs and a decadent pineapple upside-down cake, guests kicked up their heels in the Churchill Downs Dance Hall under the watchful eye of enormous racehorse wall murals.
“Everyone is energized with the spirit of the race,” said new VBMA CEO Brady Roberts. “The turnout is fantastic and I’ve seen some spectacular hats. It’s all so special; the committee did a great job. And we had a good partnership with the Indian River Charter High School students who helped out with lighting. It especially fits in with the Butterfield show. It’s not a whole lot of pieces but it’s like a full-scale retrospective.”
The Deborah Butterfield: Horses exhibition will remain on display through June 4. Butterfield, who was fittingly born on the day of the 75th running of the Kentucky Derby, sculpts her graceful equine works using a variety of materials, including found wood, reclaimed steel and cast bronze.
