Peach Tree Times

Get your tickets for History Cherokee’s 20th Annual Kentucky Derby Day. The much-loved Cherokee County tradition happens May 6 at The Mill on Etowah beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person or $185 per couple and can be purchased online at www.historycherokee.org/derby-day/.

Proceeds from the event benefit History Cherokee.  It is through the work of History Cherokee that the sites and stories of the county’s past are preserved for the enjoyment and education of generations to come.

“Cherokee County has a beautiful, rich history,” says Stefanie Joyner, executive director of History Cherokee. “The funds we raise through our annual Kentucky Derby Day help to fund History Cherokee’s activities throughout the year, including operating our new History Center, creating new programming for all ages, and our ongoing work to advocate for historic preservation. We are also working to make accessible to the public the more than 100,000 items in our archival collection, whether that is through adding resources to our research library or the creation of new exhibits. Kentucky Derby Day is our largest fundraiser of the year and greatly helps us fund our mission.”

History Cherokee’s tradition of celebrating the Kentucky Derby began in 2004 at the historic Rock Barn as a tribute to the harness racing horses originally raised on the property by Augustus Lee Coggins. Abbedale, the most successful of his horses, is listed in the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y.

The event has grown in scope since its early days at History Cherokee’s Rock Barn and is now held at The Mill on Etowah. “The plain and simple truth is that we outgrew the space of the Rock Barn,” says Joyner. “This is the third year we will hold Kentucky Derby Day at The Mill. This change in venue has allowed us to grow this popular event and get more people involved.”

Kentucky Derby Day strives to give guests an afternoon of fun and all that encompasses the famous Run for the Roses. Guests are encouraged to come decked out in their Derby Day finest in spring colors and beautiful Derby hats. Activities for the day include a hat contest, pony pull, bourbon tasting, a silent auction, and, of course, watching the Kentucky Derby on the big screen at The Mill.

This year, History Cherokee is excited to announce the City of Canton as a Diamond Sponsor. “We are proud to promote Canton and its mill history at our Derby event and greatly appreciate the support and partnership from the City of Canton.”  Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit www.historycherokee.org/derby-day/ to learn more about how your business can be a sponsor.

Original source can be found here.