Down & Derby Party

May 3rd, 2025
2pm-6pm

At The Grainhouse, Windsor

Await The Race! The Raffle! The Fun!

Celebrate!

The 151st Kentucky Derby, “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” as NOCO Unify brings Churchill Downs to Northern Colorado with a live feed of the actual race, bringing all the action to you!

The Details:

Join us in partaking in America’s oldest and greatest race. The Down & Derby Party on May 3rd, 2025 celebrates all the pageantry and excitement of the Kentucky Derby. It just happens to do it Colorado-style. This must-attend event of the season includes the tastiest fare, beverages, games, and, of course, the traditional Mint Julep as your welcome cocktail (or Champagne). Tickets for the Run for the Roses Raffle, available for purchase at the event, make you eligible to win a variety of tremendous prize packages, including a trip to Louisville for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Live music, dancing and other shenanigans will make you smile all day long. The Facette Medspa hat contest is always a fun time. Oh, and there are always a few surprises.

This is a 21-and-over event.

FAQs

How Much Are Tickets?

Once again, everyone will get VIP treatment with just one ticket level offered!

On Thursday, April 3rd, from 9am – 5pm, we will have our annual Advance Ticket Sale (ATSE), where tickets will be offered for $150 this day only.

After this event, tickets will be available for purchase online at the regular cost of $200. Be sure to get them during the sale!

Your Ticket Includes:

Access to both indoor and outdoor large viewing areas for the live Kentucky Derby.
All-Inclusive drinks and food.
Multiple bars with large assortment of beer, wine, and cocktails
Large covered areas with plenty of seating options
Derby-Style Dinner
Live Music – Dueling Pianos from Rock It Man Entertainment
Run for the Roses Raffle – Pick the winning horse for your chance to attend the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Facette MedSpa’s Hat and Best Dressed Contest
Valet parking
Two Select Colorado Rockies Tickets courtesy of the Bank of Colorado

What is the Advance Ticket Sales Event? (ATSE)

This year’s Advance Ticket Sale Event is on Thursday, April 3rd – from 9am-5pm.

On THIS DAY ONLY you can purchase your entry tickets ONLINE for $150 (regularly $200). Everyone is a VIP!

Can I buy a ticket at the door?

The Down & Derby Party has sold out each of the last 10 years. It is best to buy them in advance!

What do I wear?

We’d like to encourage you to wear your best Derby duds. Don’t know what those are? Take a look at the pictures. Of course we’ll take you if you don’t want to get all Derby-dudded up, but give it a try. And, for women, yes, hats are a critical fashion statement.

How do I sponsor this event?

We’d be glad to have you! If you’re interested in being a bigger piece of the puzzle, please visit our website’s Derby Sponsorship Options for sponsorship details/availability.

See the NOCO Unify Sponsorbook.

What is the Facette MedSpa Best Hat & Dressed Contest?

No Kentucky Derby event could be complete without a tribute to proudly worn, traditional, ostentatious headwear. Facette’s Best Hat Contest will honor the finest chapeau donned at the party – the bigger and more flamboyant, the better. Not to be outdone, the Best Dressed Man contest features dudes in some fancy ‘fits.

Where do I park?

If you drive, there is valet parking at the event. Just follow the signs. If you ride share, there will be a drop/pick-up lane for you.

Do you offer refunds?

The event is a “rain or shine” unless there is a potential public emergency. There are no refunds as this is a non-profit event to raise funds for child-based organizations in NOCO.

What else do I need to know?

Since this is a fundraiser for NOCO Unify, there are great ways for you to help the children. We’ll have raffle tickets for a drawing to the 2026 Kentucky Derby to see it live. There’s an auction for you to bid on great prizes. We are here to raise much-needed funds for underprivileged kids in Northern Colorado.

Who Benefits?

All event proceeds go to benefit NOCO Unify which supports NOCO youth organizations. The 2025 Impact Grant Recipients are: A Woman’s Place, Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado, and Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center.

Donate to NOCO Unify Now!