Downtown Derby Day
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Downtown Fond du Lac’s All Day Kentucky Derby Celebration!
Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in style during Downtown Fond du Lac’s second annual Downtown Derby Day –
an all-day celebration of the running of the Kentucky Derby!
This premiere event truly has something for everyone!
From best dressed contests, games, giveaways and prizes, to Kentucky Derby watch parties, live music, exclusive shopping, food and drink specials, and the second annual Downtown Fond du Lac Beer & Bourbon Crawl, there is Derby inspired fun around every corner!
Dress to impress! Derby inspired attire is highly encouraged!
Glamourous, high-fashion threads have been a part of the Kentucky Derby experience since the very beginning, so it only makes sense to celebrate in style. Don your biggest, brightest and most glamourous ensembles, headwear and accessories to be a part of the fun! Who knows? Maybe you’ll be chosen as one of our Best Dressed participants for great prizes supplied by downtown businesses!
Downtown Fond du Lac Beer & Bourbon Crawl
131 S Main St., Suite 101
1:00pm – 5:00pm
Make a toast to 151 years of the Kentucky Derby during Downtown Fond du Lac’s first annual Beer and Bourbon Crawl!
During the Beer & Bourbon Crawl, Fond du Lac’s downtown businesses become “tasting rooms” where ticket holders can sample a variety of beers, bourbons, and non-alcoholic beverages. Each location will serve a unique mocktail recipe or N/A option, and a beer or bourbon selection, so you’re sure to find something for your whole group!
For more information visit: www.downtownfdl.com/beer-bourbon-crawl/
Kentucky Derby Watch Parties & Televised Race Events
18 Hands Ale Haus & Biergarten – 18 E. Division St.
Televised race-day events all day long on indoor and outdoor screens!
Prize for Best Dressed Lady & Best Dressed Gent!
BYO Bloody Mary Bar – 10am – 12pm
Mint Julip Special
Blue Line Tavern – 90 S. Main St.
Televised race-day events all day long on indoor and outdoor screens!
Prizes for Best Hat, Best Dressed Individual, & Best Dressed Couple
Cornhole, Pony Races, Photo Area
Kentucky Derby Bourbon Drink Station
Woodford Reserve Collection Gift Set Sale
Craft City Bottle Shop & Taproom – 103 S. Main St.
Televised race-day events!
Hotel Retlaw – 1 N. Main Street
Official Watch Party begins at 4:00pm!:
- Featured Appetizer: Hush Puppies w/ Red Pepper Ketchup
- Featured Entree: Hot Brown Sandwich
- Featured Cocktail: Candied Julip
- Prizes for Best Hat and Best Dressed Couple
- Drawing for Free One-Night Stay
Even better? Click Here to Stay at the historic Hotel Retlaw for an exclusive rate!
Fat Joe’s Burgers and Brews – 15 W. Division St.
Televised race-day events!
Kentucky Derby Drink specials including the Oaks Lilly and Mint Julips
Anyone in Derby attire can enter to win a Fat Joe’s $50 gift certificate!
Live Music: The Now @ 9pm.
Slim & Chubby’s – 109 S. Main St.
Details coming soon!
Throwback Pockets – 119 S. Main St.
Details coming soon!
Check back soon! More details are added daily!
Live Music/Entertainment
18 Hands Ale Haus & Biergarten – 18 E. Division St.
- Until Dawn – 1pm – 4pm
- Tangle Foot – 8pm – 11pm
Blue Line Tavern
- Luma Knotty – 6pm
Fat Joe’s Burgers and Brews – 15 W. Division St.
- The Now – 9pm
Check back soon! More details are added daily!
Participating Businesses, Specials, Activities, Contests, and More!
18 Hands Ale Hause & Biergarten
18 E. Division
10am – 2:30am
Specials:
BYO Bloody Mary Bar 10am – 12pm
Mint Julip Special
Contests:
Best Dressed Lady
Best Dressed Gent
Live Music:
Until Dawn – 1pm – 4pm
Tangle Foot – 8pm – 11pm
Argentum Et Aurum
111 S. Main
10am – 5pm
Specials:
Downtown Derby Day Limited Edition Perfumes: Select from 5 exclusive Derby themed scents!
In-house raffle for Derby themed prizes!
Mint Julip Mocktail
Bird’s Eye View Optical
19 S. Main
1pm – 5pm
Details Coming Soon!
Blue Line Tavern
90 S. Main
10am – 2:30am
Activities!:
Cornhole
Photo Area
Stick-horse “Pony” Races
Woodford Reserve Collection Gift Set Sale (Limited quantity for purchase)
Kentucky Derby Bourbon Drink Station
Contests:
Best Hat Contest (Individual)
Best Dressed Contest (Individual)
Best Dressed Couple Contest
Live Music:
Luma Knotty – 6pm
Blue Marble Botanicals
28 N. Main
9:30 – 5:00pm
Gift Basket Raffle
Brick House
161 S. Main
11am – 10pm
Details Coming Soon!
CC’S Chocolates
57 N. Macy
8am – 3pm
Specials:
Complimentary Bourbon Cookie for Anyone in Derby-themed Attire.
Exclusive Derby Day Chocolates
Pop-Up Vendors!
Chapter 52 Bookstore
52 Sheboygan
9am – 1pm
Specials:
All Books Buy 1, Get 1 Free
Craft City Bottle Shop & Taproom
103 S. Main
11am – 12am
Details Coming Soon!
Cujak’s Wine & Spirits
47 N. Main
10am – 3pm
Specials:
5% Off Spirits
15% Off Wine
Envision Greater Fond du Lac
23 S. Main, Suite 101
1pm – 5pm
Activities:
Selfie Station!
Make Your Own Themed Button
Fat Joe’s Burgers and Brew
15 W. Division
11am – 2:30am
Kentucky Derby Drinks Specials:
Oaks Lilly and Mint Julips
Contests:
Anyone dressed in Derby attire can enter to win a Fat Joe’s $50 gift certificate.
Live Music
The Now @ 9pm
Hotel Retlaw
1 N. Main
Table One Specials:
Featured Appetizer: Hush Puppies w/ Red Pepper Ketchup
Featured Entree: Hot Brown Sandwich
Featured Cocktail: Candied Julip
Activities:
Watch Party begins at 4pm!:
Best Hat & Best Dressed Contest
Drawing for a Free One-Night Stay
Knitty Gritty Shop
63 N Main
10am – 3pm
Details Coming Soon!
La Belle FDL
1 N Main
(Inside Hotel Retlaw)
9am – 2pm
Exclusive Discounts and Contests
Lunar & Lake
Book Market
74 S. Main
10am – 4pm
Activities:
A Twist on the Sticky Hand Game:
Try your hand at throwing your rope into the hat to claim prizes!
Main Street Fashion
117 S. Main
10am – 5pm
Details Coming Soon!
Noel’s Touch Esthetics
42 N Main St
11am – 4pm
Grand Re-Opening!
Complimentary “Jamaican Me Crazy” Mocktail and Snacks
Enter For Your Chance to Win a FREE 5-Day Stay at a Jamaican Air BNB!
Pop-Up Shop with M-Tea Kettle
O’Davey’s Pub
36 4th St.
11am – 2:30am
Activities:
Pin the Tail on the Horse
Slim & Chubby’s
109 S. Main
3pm – 2:30am
Details Coming Soon!
Smokin Glass
173 S. Main
10am – 10pm
Specials:
30% Off Cigars!
The Diner
175 S. Main
6am – 12pm
Details Coming Soon!
Victoria’s Pet Nutrition
14 N. Main
9am – 3pm
Details Coming Soon!
Questions?
Contact Megan Sigrist at: Megan@downtownfdl.com 920.322.2006, ext. 2