Rich Strike, front right, with Sonny Leon aboard, wins the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Louisville, Ky.
AP Photo | Jeff Roberson
LIMA — Do you love the thrill of the race? One event will be bringing the sights and sounds of the Kentucky Derby to the area this Saturday.
Lima ALTRUSA will host a gathering to benefit Rhodes State College scholarships from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hart Hall in Lima.
“This Saturday, people can expect to have a great time, fellowship and lots of fun,” ALTRUSA event co-chair Linda Washington said. “This is our first time doing a Kentucky Derby fundraiser, and we will have silent auctions and a raffle game, as well as a DJ who plays all types of music from different eras. We will also have food and dessert, as well as drinks for purchase. All proceeds will benefit Rhodes State College scholarships.”
Washington said that the idea came from the other co-chair of the event, Melina Robinson.
“Melina actually came up with the idea before COVID and we just embraced it,” she said. “Here we are a few days from putting on our first Kentucky Derby event. We’re just going to have a good time and the theme is ‘Dress to Impress’ which means that you don’t really have to wear your heels, but most people will be wearing fascinators.”
If anyone is unfamiliar with the horse race that marks the start of the Triple Crown series but still would want to attend the event, there will be plenty to do besides watching it on the big screen.
“I think people should just expect to have a good time,” Washington said. “Just come be yourself and enjoy the moment and fellowship with other people and some good dancing. It will be a good time and just remember that it supports the Rhodes State scholarship fund.”
For those interested in watching the race, the fun will fit in nicely.
“Anyone can buy raffle tickets for the horses and we’ll pick a winner,” Washington said. “The horses will be identified and half of the funds raised by the tickets will go to the person that wins and the other half will go to the scholarship fund. It’ll be a good time where everybody can come in and pick a horse.”
To purchase tickets, call 419-371-6849.
Lima ALTRUSA is an international non-profit organization dedicated to service, literacy, fundraising and international projects.
Known as “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby starts at 6:57 p.m. Saturday.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Lima ALTRUSA Kentucky Derby event
WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Hart Hall, 1658 W. Breese Road, Lima.
Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling 419-371-6849.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
