Schaffer Photography: The Derby Day Gala, Schaffer Photography

I was invited this year to be the official photographer for Event Zone's The Derby Day Gala (http://www.eventzone.org/). This event takes place on the day of the Kentucky Derby and celebrates and embraces the traditions of the running of the Kentucky Derby with betting of the horses, mint juleps, seersucker suits, cigars and of course large fabulous hats. This event is also cool because it raises money for the Scholarship for the Arts (http://www.roanokefestival.org/html/scholarship.html), a local program that offers college tuition assistance to students pursuing a higher education degree in an accredited art program. So many people and organizations come together and donate time, talents and items to make this day possible! The students at the Culinary Arts program at Virginia Western were there to prepare and serve hors d'oeuvres, a buffet dinner and dessert. The food that was was cooked by the students was donated by 10 different restaurants, grocery stores and business in the area. I have to say, the Derby Day Gala was one of the best social events of this year in Roanoke so far :)

Mr. Devine and his date Sue. Devine Building Services was this year's sponsor of the Derby Day Horse. (http://www.devinebuildingservices.com/)

What a group of fabulous ladies!

Lucky guy, eh?

Craig Balzer working the wagering booth

These cigar boxes were used to hold the raffle tickets bought at the wagering booth to bet on your favorite horses. All cigars that were in the boxes were donated :)

Hmmm decisions, decisions. Which horse should I choose?

Awesome aerial shot of the party

All the women were cheering on "Pants on Fire" whose jockey was the only female racing in the Kentucy Derby this year. I cheered for her too :)

Winners of the betting. All were so gracious and donated their winnings to the Scholarship for the Arts (http://www.roanokefestival.org/html/scholarship.html)

She won "best hat" Pretty cool huh? And she made it herself! Kudos!

Money pocket squares :)

Ahhh Mint Julep! A Kentucky Derby classic!

Ken Stockton helping Deet Reed to auction off his paintings to benefit the Scholarship for the Arts

Art wasn't the only thing donated! A week's vacation in Nag's Head, a day at Wilderness Adventure was also given away, and a 2 hour set by Project 4 was also auctioned off. I don't know if you have ever been to Wilderness Adventure, but it is amazing and so fun. I went there last year with my Novozymes work colleagues. We went canoeing for several hours and my favorite, the zipline! You get to zipline all the way down the side of a mountain- how cool!