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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Churchill Downs wasn’t the only place where the hats were out and the mint juleps were being poured on Saturday. From fashion statements to a winning bet that was pure luck, a derby party in Tampa Bay gave back in a big way.
A derby day tradition a decade in the making, spectators dressed to the nines and came ready to celebrate, with a select few even bringing some extra luck.
Tia Overstreet took creativity to another level — her hat, weighing a few pounds, took hours to make.
“Well, I wanted to do flowers because, you know, it’s the race of the roses, and also I thought flowers would be good,” Overstreet said.
But the party wasn’t just about looks or luck. For the 13 Ugly Men, the foundation that hosted the event, it was also about lifting others up.
“The biggest part of it is, is that we’ve collectively, over the years, been able to donate over $2 million to the public. So for us, that’s the impact that we want to make,” Dino Pinto, a member of the 13 Ugly Men, said.
As for derby party attendee Chris Ireland, his shirt showed he was all in, and the party only made him want to experience the real thing for himself.
“I used to live in Saratoga, too. So Saratoga’s got a famous racetrack too. So yeah, when Churchill Downs, Yep, I would love to go,” Ireland said.