For local horse lovers who’ve always wanted to attend the Kentucky Derby, the Central Oregon Women’s Council of Realtors (COWCR) is bringing the races to Central Oregon with its inaugural  Derby Party on Saturday, May 2 from 2-5pm at the Rimrock Riders Event Center at Brasada Ranch.

This premiere event is being held on Kentucky Derby Day and will benefit COWCR and Bend Area Habitat for Humanity, with a special consideration for Equine Outreach.

The spirit of the Derby will infuse all aspects of this colorful and festive event. The event will kick off with an opening ceremony featuring a horse-mounted color guard and the afternoon will include live Kentucky Derby races on two big screens, a Churchill Downs-inspired buffet, southern specialty drinks, traditional hat parade, a cigar and bourbon bar, wine and spirits bottle auction, handmade rose quilt auction, live music with dancing and a red carpet photo area.

The COWCR Derby Party will offer a rare opportunity to dress up, and guests are encouraged to wear hats and the type of finery worn at the Derby itself or a Central Oregon Cowboy style of special occasion, and there will be prizes for the best dressed.

Tickets for the Derby Party are available at the Central Oregon Association of Realtors (COAR) and online at www.wcrderbyparty.com. There are a limited number of VIP tables available at $500 which seat eight people and offers exclusive reserved seating, Derby wine, group photo and other special treats. For VIP tables and other sponsorship information call 541-604-1649.

Women’s Council of Realtors is a nationwide community of 14,000 real estate professionals in 300 chapters who include many of the best and brightest in the business.

Bend Area Habitat seeks to put God’s love into action to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.  They are dedicated to changing lives by providing affordable homeownership and home repair services for low-income families and individuals in Bend and Prineville. Over the past 25 years, Bend Habitat has built 106 homes and repaired 60 more, providing more than 500 children and adults a safe, secure and healthy home.