More than 500 people will gather for the 53rd annual Fillies Derby Ball presented by LG&E on Friday, April 15, at the Galt House East Hotel. The Fillies, Inc., a volunteer organization that works closely with the Kentucky Derby Festival, are hosts of this formal event, which is themed “Celebrate Kentucky.” The Derby Festival Queen will be chosen by a spin of the wheel, and the Royal Court established with the four remaining Princesses, two Handmaidens, two Pages to the Court and three newly knighted outstanding citizens of the community. “The Fillies Derby Ball is always a special evening, and particularly exciting for the five Princesses,” said Jenny Jacob, President of the Fillies. “We’re returning to our roots with the theme of celebrating the traditions that make Kentucky so special. We were very fortunate to have the help of 22 students from OldhamCountyHigh School who created the life-size painted horses that will decorate the grand hallway to the ballroom.” Jacob will spin the wheel that will determine the 2011 Derby Festival Queen. By tradition, the Queen will lead the opening dance with 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival Chairman James A. “Ja” Hillebrand. Master of Ceremonies will be Lynda Lambert and George Lindsey of the popular “Lambert & Lindsey” morning radio show on 102.3 The Max. This year’s musical entertainment will be provided by Endless Summer. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. The Queen’s Coronation will take place at approximately 9:15 p.m. in the Galt House East Grand Ballroom.
New this year, “The Paddock” area will open at 9:30 p.m. for after-dinner socializing. Tickets to “The Paddock” cost $70 and include appetizers, dessert and dancing. Proceeds from the event benefit the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation.
Derby Festival Princesses are chosen through a self-nominating process.
Five young women are then chosen through an interview process to serve as ambassadors to the community for the Kentucky Derby Festival. Along with the newly crowned Queen, the Court will attend nearly all events associated with the Kentucky Derby Festival and the Kentucky Derby itself. The 2011 Royal Court includes: Caitlin Carter of Big Spring, Ky., a junior majoring in Agriculture/Mass Communications at WesternKentuckyUniversity; Katie Huber of Glasgow, Ky., a graduate student attending the University of Louisville School of Medicine; Trisha Maclin of Marion, Ky., a senior majoring in English/Political Science at the University of Louisville; Laura Don Oliver of Princeton, Ky., a senior majoring in Chemistry at the University of Louisville; Lauren Smith of Lexington, Ky., a senior majoring in Political Science/Economics at the University of Kentucky. More information about the Royal Court is available online at www.derbyfestival.org.
The Fillies, Inc. was established to help support the Kentucky Derby Festival. Their mission is to organize and produce the traditional Derby Ball, coordinate the “Princess Program,” and publish the Official Derby Festival Program. Membership is limited to 250 ladies of our community.
The Fillies Derby Ball is sponsored by LG&E; contributing sponsors of the Ball are Brown-Forman and 102.3 The Max
