• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Southern Discourse

Southern Discourse

Food, Faith & Southern Hospitality!

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Casseroles
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Collections
  • Hospitality
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Everyday
  • Shop
  • About
  • Subscribe
Home › Southern Moments › Events
2 Comments

Derby Day at The Dixie 2017

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jul 21, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links.


Like any good southern lady, I dream of wearing big hats, pearls, and having lady-like lunches made from tasty southern recipes passed down over time.  And while I am not sure that single-handedly bringing the hat back into fashion is within the realm of my possibility, thanks to Derby Day at The Dixie, I can live out my big hat dreams every year when the Kentucky Derby rolls around.

Derby Day at the Dixie, a Kentucky Derby event at the Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center in Huntingdon, Tennessee, is an annual event free to the community replete with all the splendor of any derby gala worth its salt.  Attendees are greeted with plenty of warm southern hospitality and encouraged to sample from tailgates loaded with traditional derby eats.

There are opportunities to pick the winning thoroughbred, to bid in a silent auction, listen to live bluegrass, and a showing of the race on the theatre’s big screen that has even the most reserved observer cheering by the home stretch.

But, let’s just admit it, the true star of any derby event is derby attire worn by both men and women (oh, those wonderful, marvelous hats).  With seersucker and mint juleps to spare,  awards are given at the end of the day for best female derby hat, men’s attire, best tailgate, best derby pie, and a number of other derby standouts. 

While one day I might make it across the state line to Churchill Downs, I’m in no rush… because until then my southern heart (and big hat) belongs to Derby Day at The Dixie.

Here is a little peek inside the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share this!

  • Facebook
  • Email

Filed Under: Events, Southern Moments Tagged With: Kentucky Derby

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Mail

Join Southern Discourse

Subscribe today to never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Avatar photoJohnny Beth Nolen

    May 13, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    Love your blog I anxiously wait each new one. The pictures from Derby Day are beautiful so glad you and your family were able to spend the afternoon with us.

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      June 12, 2017 at 2:05 pm

      Johnny Beth,

      It is always so wonderful to see you! I just loved your Derby tailgate this year. So yummy!! Such a blessing to be able to come and be a part of the Huntingdon community, even if it just for the day!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Mail

Join Southern Discourse

Never miss a new post!

Reader Favorites

  • A finished skillet of Dirty Rice.Louisiana Dirty Rice
  • traditional chicken and dressing for a southern holiday mealSouthern Chicken and Dressing
  • Whipped Feta Dip with honeyWhipped Feta with Honey Dip
  • A forkful of sweet potato casserole to show the fluffy texture of the potatoes.Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
  • pecan pie bars turn traditional pie into an easy dessertBest Ever Pecan Pie Bars
  • Spicy Italian Sub Crescent Ring TitleSpicy Italian Crescent Ring

Recipes by Category

  • Appetizers
  • Beverages
  • Bread
  • Breakfast & Brunch
  • Casseroles
  • Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads
  • Sandwiches
  • Sauces & Dessings
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups
Southern Discourse
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Mail

Join Southern Discourse

Subscribe today to never miss a post!

© 2025 · Southern Discourse · Privacy · Cookies