The second annual Derby Day presented by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office to benefit the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch was a smash hit again this year.
Partygoers attending the event at the Villages Polo Fields on Saturday evening really got into the spirit of the event. Hats adorned with red roses and dollar bills could be seen all over the place.
Ana Siman, Pat Lynster and Mary Moody attended as part of the Single Baby Boomer group. Unintentionally their hats were very well coordinated, full of red roses, dollar bills and whiskey bottles. All made their own hats, but Siman admitted a lot of the credit for her hat went to the staff at Michael’s.
Sheriff Bill Farmer welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming out and supporting the Youth Ranch. Started in 1957 the Youth Ranch now operates four residential campuses, two summer camping locations and youth outreach programs throughout the state.
Some came specifically to support the Youth Ranch. Pat Grogan, in a beautiful hat with intricately woven roses, peacock feathers and butterflies, was there with her husband Mike a retired FBI agent.
“We like to support everything Sheriff Farmer does. We feel that connection because Mike was in law enforcement,” said Pat.
Others like Mel Stieglitz and Sharon Navin were glad to be supporting a good cause but came primarily to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. “I usually have a Derby party at my house,” said Stieglitz, “but this year I thought let’s give this a try.” She and her group of sixteen were having a terrific time. Stieglitz, wearing the same hat she wore when she attended the Kentucky Derby in 2011, won biggest hat in the hat contest.
The other winners in the hat contest were Susan Dunn for most creative and Chris Martin for classic Kentucky Derby hat. Dunn managed to feature all the Triple Crown races and even attached a copy of Black Beauty to the back of her hat.
A buffet dinner and mint juleps before the race and a live and silent auction following were all part of the festive evening. Sheriff Farmer, involved with the Youth Ranch since he became sheriff more than 20 years ago, was pleased with the success of the event. Anyone wanting to know more about the Youth Ranch including the annual open house the first weekend in October, can visit www.youthranches.org.