G
rab your hats and head to the starting gates, it’s almost time for Derby Day! One of the most highly-anticipated spring events in the Golden Isles, Frederica Academy’s signature fundraiser will magically transform Sea Island’s Retreat Clubhouse into what feels like your own private party at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 5. From the moment you’re offered the traditional mint julep as you walk in the door to the first notes of the trumpet heralding the impending start of the race, you know this event is something special. A Frederica Academy fundraising 54
ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING
PHOTOS BY MARK DURANT PHOTOGRAPHY
Juleps, Jockeys AND A JEEP
tradition for 16 years, it just keeps getting better. EIL checked in with 2018 event co-chairs Jenny and Paul Thompson and Myra and John Wetzler for details about this year’s event and are as eager as the horses champing at the bit for what’s to come. Be sure to don your best race day attire because the Bluegrass State has nothing on Sea Island when it comes to Derby Day fashion. Seersucker suits and stunning spectators are encouraged as the traditional festive fashion is part of what makes this evening extravaganza such a fun occasion. And, ladies, the
hat parade competition is fierce, so be creative with your chapeaux! The winner will have the honor of drawing the ticket for this year’s raffle item: not a decked out golf cart this time around, but a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK Sport 4x4! This white soft top 2-door model is the perfect vehicle for cruising the island in the summer, and it can be yours if you hold the winning raffle ticket. Tickets are one for $100, 3/$200, 8/$500 or 20/$1000 and are available for purchase online now. But the hat parade and drawing for the Jeep are by no means the main event! You’ll want
