By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
The Junior League’s 1st Annual Kentucky Derby Party & Live Stream Charity Event will be held on May 7th, 2022 at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center from 4pm-8pm.
The highlight of the evening is of course the Kentucky Derby event itself, which will be live-streamed for everyone to enjoy. The event will be catered by The Flame with a Kentucky bourbon themed meal. There will be both a silent and live auction, a 50/50 raffle, and the chance to WIN BIG by spinning The Wheel of Winnings. Attire is southern proper or Derby-style.
General admission tickets are $69, but VIP tickets are also available for $99 and include additional offerings such as serving Woodford Reserve KY Bourbon (the official bourbon on the Kentucky Derby), and VIP wine chiller glasses provided Rankin & Fiume. Event Tickets can be purchased at: https://greaternewbern.jl.org/events/this-is-a-featured-event/
“When we first started as a league, our number one goal was to focus on how we could make the biggest impact for our beloved community. With the help of our wonderful members and sponsors, our Kentucky Derby event will not only be a delightful time but will also raise funds for our league to continue making an impact in New Bern—as well as providing a portion of proceeds to a well-deserving local non-profit,” says President-elect Allison Hinnant. “Our league provides women a safe place to learn, socialize, and serve, and we are just getting started! I’m excited to see what our future holds as we continue to grow.”
Junior League of Greater New Bern is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
“The importance of being part of a group of wonderful women working towards supporting the community of New Bern is why I am involved with the Junior League of Greater New Bern. Volunteering shapes the community around us and working together with other nonprofits betters New Bern,” says President Ashleigh Howell. “The first annual Kentucky Derby fundraising event will help the JLGNB to continue to implement programs like the Prom Boutique and continue to support local nonprofits. Together we can make changes to continue to improve our wonderful community.”
The event is the league’s largest fund raiser and will award four charities a portion of the net proceeds at the event. Charities will be asked to complete the application for consideration. All applications will be reviewed and voted on by the Junior League members and four charities will be awarded.
Funds are being raised for the charities by the sale of some very appealing silent auction items. For example:
1. Boaters Dream Package: Provided by the New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club. 2 free nights dockage at New Bern Grand Marina and branded apparel and free AGLCA membership. Value $250
2. Flythe’s Super Fun & Safe Sport Bike Package. Shop $100 gift card, youth bike helmet, and water bottle. Value $200
3. Family Matters provided by Totman Law. Value $1500 Estate Planning Session.
4. Vann Fine Art Portraits. Value $1000 photo consultation.
5. Morehead City Marlins Baseball Game. 4 Tickets & Box Seats to a Marlins Game. Value $500
6. Life is Good Store Gift Basket. Life really is good when you’re sporting a cool casual look! Value $100
7. Craft Beer for Beer Lovers by Bruin. 1 Growler and other goodies for the craft beer enthusiast. Value $50
8. Weekend Stay in Historic New Bern. Your stay begins at the Hampton Inn of NB, then blossoms with a trolley tour of New Bern and ends with a fabulous dinner for two. Value $300
9. YIP Fitness. One Month Personal Training Package
Live auction items will include a VIP roof top party package, a scenic flyover package, VIP Churchill Downs Winners Circle packages, and bourbon tour and tasting packages. The offerings are pretty amazing and it’s all for a good cause!
“I joined the league because I have a heart to help those in need in our community and I have had the amazing opportunity to work alongside some pretty wonderful and brilliantly minded members who genuinely want to help,” says Millissa Alexander, a Junior League of Greater New Bern Board Member and the Event Co-Chair. “This event is the league’s largest fund-raiser, and we simply couldn’t do all the great things we do without the support of our league members and those in our community. As I always say, ‘Great things happen when great people work together.’”