Posted on Tue, Apr. 29, 2008

State parties hearty

Planners prevail in run-up to race

By Jenna Mink

JMINK@HERALD-LEADER.COM

DAVID PERRY | STAFF

Joe Richardson Photo by David Perry | staff

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Joe Richardson has ventured back to ancient Egypt.

This year, he's making sure 8-feet King Tut faces and hieroglyphic wallpaper is hung. It's all a part of preparing for the Lexington Derby Ball, the Kentucky Derby eve party at Donamire Farm, which is Egyptian-themed this year.

"It involves some skill," said Richardson, the creative chairman for the Lexington Derby Ball.

Richardson and other party planners are hustling this week to pull off the perfect Derby party.

This is the second year Sherlene Shanklin has thrown her Derby eve party: the Pre-Derby All Star Jam in Louisville.

Shanklin said, unlike many Derby parties, her event is about socializing and networking. Attendees get to meet behind-the-scenes folk, such as producers and managers.

"People don't know the people who make them stars," Shanklin said. "And that's who's coming to my event. I've got the movers and the shakers."

One of the biggest challenges has been getting enough money to finance the party. Shanklin spent the last few months finding businesses to sponsor her party.

"It's hard trying to come up with the seed money to get anything started," she said.

The first year, Shanklin relied on her own pocketbook to finance the bulk of the party. And she also had trouble finding a venue.

Now, Shanklin has booked the second floor of the Glassworks building in downtown Louisville, and she's snagged a few sponsors.

She even has enough money to put together gift bags (with goodies, such as Maker's Mark glasses, newspaper coupons and bourbon candy). This year, she expects from 300 to 400 attendees.

"I have a great combination," Shanklin said. "From a young rapper to a world-renowned sculptor."

Bill Morgan, owner of B&B Morgan Tire Sales and Services in Lexington, also expects a large turnout at his party.

"They'll come in Rolls-Royces; they'll come in limousines," Morgan said. "Or they'll just walk to the party."

Morgan has thrown his Derby eve bash, dubbed "Poor Man's Party," for 36 years. He launched the party when he was a University of Kentucky student.

Back then, the late Bill Keightley, the beloved UK men's basketball equipment manager, was Morgan's mailman. When Keightley started making annual appearances at Morgan's party, other UK athletics personnel followed.

Now, the party has moved to North Broadway (Morgan sets up three tents close to the tire store) and regular attendees have included former UK men's basketball head coaches Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith. This year, men's basketball head coach Billy Gillispie, UK football assistant coach Joker Phillips and about 2,000 other guests plan to stop by.

But preparing a party for thousands of people, who come from Alaska to Australia, is no easy task, Morgan said.

Morgan works year round finding entertainment, hiring caterers, printing and sending invitations and "making sure everything's delivered, even the port-a-potties," he said.

But his party's success ultimately depends on Mother Nature, Morgan said.

"The worst thing is the weather," he said. "Last year, at about 5:30 or 6, it was a downpour ... but we partied until 7 in the morning."

But some event planners and caterers bounce from party to party on Derby eve.

Catering by Donna, in Lexington, is handling four Derby parties this year.

"It may seem like a lot more since we're short on staff," said Rachel McCully, a chef for Catering by Donna.

And Derby business has grown at Orlando's Party & Pantry in Lexington, sales associate and caterer Rita Tunstill said.

The store sells Derby party items, such as dishes, silverware, Derby candies and even horse-shaped cheese (which is a bestseller, Tunstill said).

Customers usually flock to the store the week before the Derby for the decor and the food, she said.

"This time of year, it really picks up," she said.

The business also caters events and has customers who throw annual Derby parties.

It's stressful "just being sure it's all pulled together," she said. "And that we get out of the door on time."

Rayna Ortwin, owner of Always Planned, a party planning service in Lexington, said the spring season (not just Derby season) has been hectic.

Ortwin is the only consultant with Always Planned, and she has booked a bevy of graduation and wedding parties, she said.

This year, Ortwin is taking it easy on Derby eve -- she's going to a friend's party instead of planning one. But attending parties helped inspire Ortwin to plan events.

"I just love to entertain," she said. "I have so much fun meeting people."

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