28 ways to celebrate Kentucky Derby Day in the Tampa Bay area

If you’re a fan of the Kentucky Derby, but going to Churchill Downs in person is out of the question, here are 28 ways to locally celebrate the 149th Kentucky Derby, also known as the “greatest two minutes in sports.”

Delta Derby on the Green: Join Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for a shotgun start tournament with a DJ, giveaways and a best hat contest. $100. 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Rogers Park Golf Course, 7910 N 30th St., Tampa. 813-356-1671.

Kentucky Derby Day: If you can’t be at Churchill Downs, the Oldsmar oval is the place to experience the most exciting two minutes in sports. Tampa Bay Downs offers a special 12-race card, followed by the simulcast of the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. Mint juleps will be sold in the official souvenir Derby glass. $10, 17 and younger free. 10 a.m. Saturday. Tampa Bay Downs, 11225 Race Track Road, Tampa. 813-855-4401.

Derby Social: Dress elegantly for this 21-and-older-only party with race viewing, mint juleps and betting for prizes. $10-$15. Noon Saturday. The Floridian Social, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-322-4600.

Kentucky Derby Day: Pick your favorite horse and cheer them on at this party with a hat contest. No cover. Noon Saturday. Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co., 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Valrico. 813-703-8835.

Go Baby Go: You’ll need a boat to get to the John’s Pass Sandbar Day Drinker’s Kentucky Derby party on John’s Pass sandbar. Free. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Eleanor Island (in the water adjacent to John’s Pass), 12945 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach.

Derby Party: Pick the winning horse to win a prize at this elegant party with mint juleps. $10-$15. 1 p.m. Saturday. The Floridian Social, 687 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-322-4600.

Kentucky Derby Pub Crawl: Put on your finest Derby bonnet to crawl around the Port Richey Waterfront District with a Derby viewing party afterward. $20-$40. 2-7 p.m. Saturday. Gill Dawg Tiki Bar and Grill, 5419 Treadway Drive, Port Richey. 727-842-1070.

Derby at the Pier: Derby hats, sundresses, seersucker suits and bow ties are encouraged for this 13 Ugly Men party with high-end bourbon, craft cocktails, cigars, mint juleps and views of the waterfront and city skyline. Benefits Phoenix House Florida, $20. 2-9 p.m. Saturday. St. Pete Pier, 600 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-439-0284.

Kentucky Derby Watch Party: Wear a derby hat for a chance to win $50. 3 p.m. Saturday. Bar@548, 548 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-914-7424.

Kentucky Derby 149: Dress to impress for this party with derby inspired cocktails, appetizers and contests for best hat and best dressed. $50. 3-8 p.m. Saturday. The Cork Room, 237 E. Davis Blvd., Tampa. 813-944-2025.

Kentucky Derby Celebration: Watch the Run for the Roses and cheer on your pick with $10 Maker’s Mark Derby-themed cocktails. Also, create your own fascinator with flowers, ribbons and embellishments, and a florist will make you a custom piece. No cover. 3 p.m. Saturday. American Social Bar and Kitchen, 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. 813-605-3333.

Christy’s Thirsty “Kentucky Derby Hat” Beer Ride: Put on a fancy hat and join this leisurely 5-mile bike ride and pub crawl. Stops include Mickey’s Cafe, Grand Central Brewhouse, Green Bench and it ends at the Avenue for race viewing. $15-$20. 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Mickey’s Cafe, 318 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-851-9833.

Kentucky Derby Party St. Pete: The fifth annual formal features an oyster pop-up, live music, cocktails and a best-dressed contest. Free. 4 p.m. Saturday. Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails, 1111 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-873-6664.

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party: Enjoy a spread of Southern food while you sip on a mint julep. Cash bar available. $35-$40. 4-8 p.m. Saturday. Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-229-2214.

Kentucky Derby: MayDay Party: Put on your most elegant or dapper attire for the seventh annual Derby Party. Free-$15. 4-9 p.m. Saturday. Grove Soho, 406 S Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-895-5379.

Bow Ties, Hats and Bourbon: Tampa Derby Day: The second annual Tampa Derby Day Party features premium food and drinks, music, dancing, raffles, silent auctions, cigar lounge, vendors and real-time race viewing. Benefits the Tampa Alumni Guide Right Foundation. $65-$80. 4-8 p.m. Saturday. TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, 4121 N 50th St., Tampa. 813-505-0852.

A Taste of Water Street: A Day at the Races: Dress in theme by wearing your finest fascinators and bow ties to ring in the race of the year with derby-themed games, a photo booth, flower cart, music by the Distinguished Gentlemen of Brass, mint juleps in commemorative cups, whiskey flights and food. Free. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday. Raybon Plaza, 536 Channelside Drive, Tampa.

Hats and Horses: Gather your fancy hats, sundresses, and dapper suits and join The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and The Rotary Club of Dade City for their fourth annual Kentucky Derby Party. Ticket includes Southern cuisine, open bar, live Kentucky Derby race, live band, casino games, contests for best hat and best dressed and auctions. Benefits “Build that Home.” $100-$125. 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Waller Ranch, 17307 Powerline Road, Dade City. 352-427-0332.

Talk Derby to Me: Dress to impress with your fancy hats and dapper suits to watch the race with a waterfront view while sipping from an open bar, munching Southern food, smoking cigars and listening to music. $60-$75. 4:30-10 p.m. Saturday. Davis Islands Garden Club, 81 Columbia Drive, Tampa. 813-588-3677.

Brooksville Woman’s Club Kentucky Derby Party: A livestream of the Run for the Roses with mint juleps, fake betting, food and mocktails. $35. 5-8 p.m. Saturday. GFWC Historic Brooksville Woman’s Club, 131 S Main St., Brooksville. 352-277-3330.

Kentucky Derby Fundraiser: Derby attire is encouraged for this night of casino gaming with cocktails, appetizers, contests and prizes. Benefits the Hillsborough Cattlemen’s Foundation. $75. 5-8 p.m. Saturday. Hillsborough County Cattlemen’s Association, 6404 S County Road 39, Plant City. 813-401-1477.

Kentucky Derby Party: Join the Propeller Club for a party with full open bar, dinner buffet, games and contests for best dressed and best hat. $75. 5-8:30 p.m. Saturday. Carmine’s Restaurant and Bar, 1802 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. 813-696-2966.

Kentucky Derby Party: Bring an appetizer or dessert to share for a potluck derby watch party with games and prizes. No cover. 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday. Feather Sound Country Club, 2201 Feather Sound Drive, Clearwater. 727-573-5666.

Kentucky Derby at Bayboro: Watch the race and enter a “for fun only” race competition. No cover. 5 p.m. Saturday. Bayboro Brewing Co., 2390 Fifth Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 727-767-9666.

Kentucky Derby Day Viewing: Put on your best derby day attire for a party with race viewing, $8 Pimms cups, $8 mint juleps and a $50 gift card for best dressed. No cover. 5 p.m. Saturday. Boar and Buffalo Craft Bar, 2350 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor. 727-786-4370.

Kentucky Derby Watch Party: A race watch party with Kentucky beers, including Country Boy and Altec KY Bourbon Ale, and a post-race cornhole tournament. No cover. 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Palm Harbor House of Beer, 34970 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. 727-784-2337.

Kentucky Derby Watch Party: Dust off your fancy hats and join a party to watch the “most exciting two minutes in sports.” No cover. 6 p.m. Saturday. O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Grill, 5429 Village Market, Wesley Chapel. 813-973-9988.

Kentucky Derby Market: A vendors market with a horseshoe tournament, food trucks and live music by the Smakk Band. No cover. Noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Loyal Order of Moose, 804 S Miller Road, Valrico. 813-689-6043.