The Kansas City Museum hosted its 8th annual, Derby Day party, coinciding with the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. 

This year’s event was co-sponsored by Worlds of Fun amusement park that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The park provided Peanuts characters Charlie Brown and Snoopy who were on site and available for photos and selfies.

There was also a special area where vintage photos of the park were on display. Guests were encouraged to share their favorite WOF memory with parks staffers who were on hand to document the memory. 

Table decorations and floral arrangements featured the iconic World’s of Fun balloon and we’re created by Northeast resident Michael Stringer.

Also on site were a pair of trailers that housed screens showing a live feed of the Kentucky Derby from track side. Locally sourced food and cocktails were also enjoyed by party attendees. Shop Local KC created fresh flower crowns for the first 250 guests.

This year’s Derby Party theme was “70’s Summer Camp to 70’s Sophisticated Chic celebrating a decade of individuality and expression!” 

“It just goes to have a great partnership from the Museum and Worlds of Fun to make this event happen,” said Paul Gutierrez, the Museum’s Director of Visitor Experience and Public Programming. 

“I am incredibly thankful to our Derby committee,” said Kansas City Museum Director Anna Marie Tutera. “Paul, our entire staff and our board, they make it happen every year, and I’m just really honored to be a part of it.”  

Roughly six hundred people attended this year’s event on the lawn at the museum. Funds raised will support educational and public programs.