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We’re less than a month away from the first ever BVA Derby Day! CSC Insurance is proud to be a sponsor of the Belle Vernon Area Charitable Fund’s inaugural Derby Day fundraiser. The event benefits the Belle Vernon Area School District and will have a number of events featured. Below is a little information on the event.

Popular food trucks on hand for inaugural BVA Derby Day

Two popular Pittsburgh-based food trucks will be on hand for the first-of-its-kind “BVA Derby Day”.

They are BRGR, featuring gourmet burgers and handcrafted milkshakes available at its brick-and-mortar restaurants, and Southside BBQ Co., whose state-of-art “CarnivoreMobile” touts award-winning ribs, pulled pork, mac’n cheese and frilled sweet potatoes.

In addition, the event will have a “beer truck”, popcorn vendor and a vendor selling daiquiris and mint juleps, the iconic beverage at Churchill Downs.

 

Live Entertainment

In addition to the live harness racing that will be a featured event of the day, there’s more than just horses on race day! The Kentucky Derby broadcasting with share the outdoor stage with Pittsburgh-based, Rustic River Band .

The energetic, acoustic trio plays and sings a variety of country, classic rock and a bit of pop. It combines two popular country vocalists, Mandi Olbeter and Tim Stewart, with the talented country guitarist/vocalist Tyler Greenfield. Among the three of them, they have opened for major acts such as Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Brenda Lee and George Jones. This will be Rustic River Band’s first appearance in the Mon Valley. They have played several regional venues include the Hard Rock Café, EQT Three Rivers Regatta, Meadows Casino, Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse and Post-Gazette Pavilion.

Between sets, Brownsville native actor and vocalist, Christian Sesek, known as “young blue eyes” will perform the songs of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and other Rat Pack/swing era artists. Sesek, who’s graduating from Duquesne University this spring in voice, business and economics, has performed at Deep Creek Lake, Pittsburgh’s “River of the Year” celebration and numerous festivals, as well as private events. He was the winning tribute artist at the 20th Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville, Ohio, in 2017.

Derby Hat Fashion Contest

The fund-raising event will also include a Derby Hat fashion contest. Described as “part Southern tradition, part spectacle” the BVA Charitable fund are welcoming all “Derby divas”. Strut your stuff in your simple or sarcastic, feathered, flowered or big brimmed hat attire.

Details of the hat contest being sponsored by Snoball’s Hair and Tanning Salon will be announced later. The winner will receive a $250 gift card to Nemacolin Woodlands.

The BVA Derby Day will also feature:

— A truck-mounted, Jumbo-tron television to broadcast preliminary races, as well as the 144th Kentucky Derby.

— 10-passenger golf carts from our sponsor, Cedarbrook Golf Course, will be available for patrons using limited on-site parking. These spaces are available on a first-come basis.

— Overflow parking at the nearby K-Mart and Lowe’s lots. Buses will be used to shuttle patrons to and from Amulet Farms until the event ends at 7 pm.

— Tents, tables, chairs and other items donated by sponsor, Farnham & Pfile Rentals, although people are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs.

— “Meet the horses” and tour the 35-acre grounds, including the horse barn and other areas.

— 50/50 raffle and legal games of chance

Gates at Amulet Farms open at 2 p.m. for the “21-and-over” event benefiting Belle Vernon Area Charitable Fund. The now two-year-old non-profit organization builds long-lasting resources to enhance the arts, activities, athletics and academics in the school district.

 

The $20 admissions ticket will entitle early entrants to a commemorative T-shirt or real horseshoe on a first-come basis. All tickets will be good for one complimentary beverage, as well as a chance for door-prize drawings to include a gift basket valued at $1,000 and a $500 watch donated by MarBill Diamonds & Jewelry.

Advance tickets and information about sponsorships are available at the office of CSC Insurance or by calling 724-929-2300.