ROCKLEDGE, Florida — With preparations for its annual charitable fundraiser heading into the homestretch, Rockledge Rotary is planning a number of exciting enhancements for Derby Day 2015. This year’s premier Kentucky Derby-themed party in the county will feature a new location, its first-ever live charity horse races, online bidding on auction items and added prizes. A major portion of the proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will go to benefit Crosswinds Youth Services and Ronald McDonald House.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 2, from 3-8pm, Rockledge Rotary’s Derby Day pulls together local businesses, community leaders and individuals throughout Brevard in an effort to raise much-needed funds for local charitable organizations. Since its inception, Derby Day has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the community. “For more than a decade, Derby Day has served as an outstanding fundraiser event to help support charitable organizations in our community,” said Mike Selig, Rockledge Rotary Foundation Chairman. “We’re pleased that the event has been such a success and grown to a point that we now have the opportunity to add a number of enhancements to the overall event experience.”
In addition to its new location at Wickham Park Equestrian Center, Derby Day 2015 will feature a variety of indoor and outdoor festivities, including live charity horse races thanks to the support of Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds (HART). It will also feature online bidding for the live and silent auctions. An electronic bidding platform will make it easy and fun for participants to bid on a wide variety items donated by local businesses and individuals. Also new this year will be a fun Derby Day hat contest.
Back by popular demand, the event will feature a Winner’s Circle table that will feature several auction items valued at more than $500. A special lock box and key drawing featuring a special, high value prize will also highlight the event. A number of other fun activities will be conducted, including a 50/50 raffle, a chance to win a “wheelbarrow of cheer,” door prizes and much more. In addition to the live simulcast of the Kentucky Derby, several other horse races will be shown for attendees to make charitable wagers. And of course, mint juleps will be on hand.
Derby Day is open to the public, however, seating is limited for this popular and growing event. Tickets to attend are $75/person, which includes dinner and a full slate of festivities, and can be purchased at http://www.rockledgerotary.com/. Attendees are encouraged to wear fun, Derby Day attire.
This year’s prime platinum sponsors are McDonald’s and Walmart. Gold sponsors include Bright House Networks, MEC Contractors/engineers, Florida Today and Merrill Lynch. Silver sponsors include Flooring America, Slug-A-Bug, Shaw Floors, Spacecoast Living, PNC Bank, PODS, Wuesthoff Health System, Appliance Direct, MSS Care, Chaffiot Family Foundation / Bob and Shelly Herman, Cantwell and Goldman, Lifespan Wealth Management. In-kind supporters include Carrabba’s, Hoover AV, Portable Air, Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds, Anderson Rentals, Time Out Sports Bar, Rentaland, Brevard Count Sherriff’s Office, and Aclipse Marketing.
