The Junior League of the Emerald Coast raises over $15,000 at Down and Derby Fest
hosted at the Market Shops on May 5
Destin, Florida – The Junior League of the Emerald Coast (JLEC) is excited to announce the newly revamped Down & Derby Fest, which took place at The Market Shops on May 5, 2018 in honor of the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby, raised over $15,000. The festival featured “Derby Fare” from local restaurants highlighting the Emerald Coast’s best savory cuisine, decadent dessert, and luscious libations. The event, held at The Market Shops for the first time, featured almost 20 local vendors and welcomed Kentucky’s Ale-8-One to the celebration. Patrons that had the opportunity to experience the sold-out VIP area sponsored by Bijoux enjoyed complimentary valet parking by 30A Valet, a premium viewing area for the most exciting two minutes in sports, and a commemorative 144th Derby glass in their swag bag. Guests were invited to dress to impress in their Kentucky Derby attire in order to win prizes for Most Elegant Hat, Most Creative Hat, Best Fascinator, Biggest Hat, Most Colorful Hat, Best Bowtie, and Best Dressed “Colt and Filly.” Proceeds from Down and Derby Fest will go to benefit the JLEC’s Child Clothing Project.
For close to 40 years the Junior League of the Emerald Coast has provided clothing to children in need throughout the local community. In January of 2016, JLEC expanded the annual Child Clothing Project in order to reach children year round. By operating Child Clothing Closets in schools and nonprofits throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties, they are able to give children access to appropriate clothing as they need it. The goal behind each closet is to provide the schools and nonprofits with resources to help ensure that children are able to wear school appropriate, clean, well fitted clothing. Through this initiative, JLEC is able to provide schools with the resources needed to ensure that a child’s clothing does not hinder their ability to develop a positive self-image or disrupt their ability to pay attention and learn in their everyday environments.
The public is invited to save the date for next year’s Down and Derby Fest hosted on May 4, 2019. Participating Vendors: Timber Creek Distillery, Cuvee Kitchen + Wine Bar, Grayton Beer, Ale- 8-One, Red Fish Taco, Another Broken Egg Sandestin, Dewey Destin, Bella Donna Catering, Half Shell Oyster House, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Chicken Salad Chick, Pizza Bar, Kilwins Grand Boulevard, Sweet Henrietta’s Treats, Camille’s, Ben & Jerry’s Sandestin, Amavida Coffee + Tea. 2018 Down and Derby Sponsors: Presenting: One Shot Fishing Charters, Gold: Community Broadcasters, Silver: Seaside Style, ZT Motors, Bronze: Superior Industrial Services, Mercantile, Wind Creek Hospitality, Gulf Shore Air Conditioning Heating and Air, Emerald: Pizza by the Sea, White Communications, Beach Community Mortgage, Mingle 30A, Friend: Powerhouse Real Estate, Freeport Family Dentistry, The Barn at Water Oaks, Dunlap & Shipman PA, Innovative Sound, While Foods, EZ PZ Recycling, Destin Ice, 30A Valet, Epic Photo, Press Print Graphics, CPC Office Technologies, Publix Mary Esther, and VIP: Bijoux. The Junior League of the Emerald Coast, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The JLEC's purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
