Plus, Panthers' draft picks.
 
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From our friends at WCNC

 
🐎 Talk Derby to me
Racehorses and their jockeys race around the first turn of Churchill Downs at the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby is an annual horse race run the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky since 1875. | Photo by CLTtoday
On Saturday, May 4, the country will tune in to see “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” The Kentucky Derby is a beloved annual tradition immersed in history, heritage, and pageantry where eyes of the world turn to Churchill Downs — a race track in Louisville, Kentucky.

Editor’s note: this City Editor is proud to call Louisville my first home.

Three-year-old thoroughbreds race in “The Run for the Roses” to reach the elusive Triple Crown. Fun fact: “The Run for the Roses” is a term referencing the blanket of 554 red roses bestowed upon the winning horse.

Fortunately, our friends in Louisville, (Hey, LOUtoday) aren’t the only ones who love quirky horse names, mint juleps, and colorful hats.

People are holding glass drinks containing mint juleps.

A mint julep is a cocktail mixing bourbon, sugar, water, crushed or shaved ice, and fresh mint.

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Photo by CLTtoday

Here are upcoming events celebrating the 150th Kentucky Derby in the Queen City:

Derby Days 2024 — Mint Museum Randolph

Saturday, May 4 | 3-7 p.m. | Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd., Charlotte | $45-$75 | Enjoy live music, mint juleps, wine + beer, and food trucks. Enter a Kentucky Derby raffle, “Best Dressed” and “Best Hat” contests + enjoy a large-screen viewing of the race.

Kentucky Derby Viewing Party — Sophia’s Lounge

Saturday, May 4 | 4-7:30 p.m. | Sophia’s Lounge @ The Ivey’s Hotel, 127 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $95 | Enjoy the races, a Derby-themed dinner, whiskey tasting, and dress to impress in your best attire for the “Best Dressed” and “Best Derby Hat” contests.

Women wear colorful dresses and hats while sipping on drinks.

Hats are considered a top fashion accessory for women attending Kentucky Derby-related parties and events.

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Photo by CLTtoday

Kentucky Derby Watch Party Charlotte — Dram & Draught

Saturday, May 4 | 3-8 p.m. | Dram & Draught, 1220 S. Tryon St., Ste. #300, Charlotte | Free | Watch the races while sipping on mint juleps + be ready for a best hat & dressed competition, raffles, and more.

Derby Day - Hats On & Pinkies Up

Saturday, May 4 | 5-9 p.m. | Gaston Country Club, 3700 Country Club Dr., Gastonia | $75 | Break out your sundresses, hats, and bow ties and join the ladies of Zeta Mu Omega and DJ-JROXX for a watch party.
 
Asked
 
What’s your favorite Kentucky Derby tradition?
A. The unique horse names
B. The fashion
C. Food + drinks
D. Betting on the races
E. A Derby watch party
 
HomeTrust Bank
 
Events
 
Monday, April 29
  • Monday Vibes! Industry night | Monday, April 29 | 5 p.m. | 2413 Central Ave., Charlotte | Free | Kick off your week with good vibes + cocktails while networking in a casual lounge space.
  • SkillPop: Watercolor Galaxies | Monday, April 29 | 6:30-8 p.m. | 201 Camp Rd., Ste. 100, Charlotte | $43 | Create an “out of this world” watercolor masterpiece led by a local artist.
  • The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session | Monday, April 29 | 7 p.m. | Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte | $10 | Hear some of Charlotte’s best musicians honor the “Godfather of Jazz.”
Tuesday, April 30
  • The Charlotte Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Awards Ceremony | Tuesday, April 30 | 6-9 p.m. | Lenny Boy Brewing Co., 3000 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | $95 | A night honoring the nominees + winners shaping the future of Charlotte.
  • SkillPop: Sew A Market Tote Bag | Tuesday, April 30 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 201 CAMP, 201 Camp Rd., Charlotte | $38 | A perfect class for budding sewers who will learn to sew a bag from start to finish.
  • Charlotte Knights vs. Memphis Redbirds | Tuesday, April 30 | 6:05 p.m. | 324 S. Mint St., Charlotte | Cost of entry | Put your paws up as fans bring their four-legged friends to Bark in the Park at the Charlotte Knights game.
Wednesday, May 1
  • The Sky Tonight | Wednesday, May 1 | 1:30-2:15 p.m. | Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia | $5 | Marvel at this interactive show learning about the stars, planets, and celestial events in the sky.
  • Sycamore Run Club | Wednesday, May 1 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing & Taproom, 2151 Hawkins St., Charlotte | Free | Run and build community with fitness lovers + reward yourself with a drink.
Saturday, May 4
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Civic
  • Mooresville leaders are planning to fix a massive sinkhole that forced a longtime business to close. The town plans to buy the property along West Plaza Drive. The sinkhole will be filled with dirt when work begins next month. (WCNC)
Real Estate
  • Grace Covenant Church at 1800 South Blvd. in South End is for sale. The 9,868-sqft building was built in 1910. Grace Covenant served as the late Reverend Billy Graham’s childhood church. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Trending
  • Caught on camera. Carolina Panthers’ owner David Tepper visited Dilworth Neighborhood Grille ahead of round one of the NFL draft. He asked about the signage outside, reading, “Please let the coach & GM pick this year.”
Concert
  • Let’s rock. Lovin’ Life Music Fest dropped showtimes for the three-day music festival in Uptown. The party runs Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5 — featuring artists like Post Malone, Stevie Nicks, and the Chainsmokers. (WCNC)
Coming Soon
  • 5th Street Live returns to Uptown Thursday, May 9. Visitors can enjoy drinks, food, and live music during this weekly after-work networking event. 5th Street Live will be every Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. on the Truist Center Plaza at 214 N. Tryon St.
Drink
  • Pour me another. Wine superstore Total Wine will fill a vacant spot at the RiverGate shopping center in southwest Charlotte. The location at 415 Steel Creek Rd. is about 4 miles from Lake Wylie. The store is slated to open the first week of June. (The Charlotte Observer)
Closed
  • Summerbird abruptly closed its doors in South End. The fast casual, summer-themed restaurant made the announcement on Instagram and was open for less than two years.
Sports
  • How will the new draft picks switch up the locker room? Follow the developments with the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Plan Ahead
    • Summer camp season is nearly here. Register for Charlotte Country Day School’s 150+ summer camp options, tailored for children ages 3–18 and blending immersive learning + play for a summer-worthy, fun-filled adventure. Bonus: Get swim lessons at the school’s new indoor Klein Aquatics Center as early as June 1.*
    Health
    • Did you know heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined? Breast cancer kills 1 in 39 women, while heart disease kills 1 in 5. The good news: 80% of heart disease is preventable. See what Novant Health’s Dr. Sandy Charles has to say about heart disease risks + prevention.*
     
    TEGNA
     
    Football
     
    🏈 Panthers’ picks
    Fans watch the Carolina Panthers play at Bank of America Stadium
    Despite a losing season, the Carolina Panthers recorded an average home attendance of 71,635 spectators in 2023 — not a dramatic drop from previous seasons. | Photo by CLTtoday
    After trading up for the No.1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, nobody expected the Carolina Panthers to crash the party on night one in the first round. But what’s a fun draft without a few surprises? Just ask about surprises, Dillworth Neighborhood Grille?

    While many fans were already asleep, the Panthers made a surprise first round pick for Xavier Legette — a wide receiver from the University of South Carolina at No. 32.

    Here’s the full lineup of players joining “the Panthers’ den":

    First round — No. 32 pick
    Xavier Legette | Wide Receiver | South Carolina

    Second round — No. 14 pick
    Jonathon Brooks | Running back | Texas

    Third round — No. 8 pick
    Trevin Wallace | Linebacker | Kentucky

    Fourth round — No. 1 pick
    Ja’Tavion Sanders | Tight end | Texas
     
    The Buy
     
    Gifts for mom. Our guide has something thoughtful and unique for all the mothers in your life.
     
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    6AM City In-house
     
    The Wrap
     
    CLT_Jack VanderToll Today’s edition by:
    Jack
    From the editor
    I had the chance to follow a therapy dog named Cody bringing smiles to Charlotte hospital staff + patients. Be on the lookout for that story coming soon.

    People are setting a Golden Retriever in a hospital office.

    Photo by CLTtoday
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