The Boothbay Harbor Rotary clubhouse was packed to capacity as a cheering crowd watched the live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6.

Derby traditions were observed from the mint juleps to the beautiful hats and the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” at the second annual Rotary fundraiser for the Community Center.

A team of 16 volunteers from the Rotary and the Community Center worked on the event for weeks before the doors opened to the 100 ticket holders at 5 p.m.

Volunteers made sure that hors d’oeuvres and desserts kept coming, that the bar was staffed and that everyone had a chance to drop their raffle tickets into buckets labeled with the names of each horse.  Paul Johnson and Amber Jones donated their talents to make sure the party had plenty of music.

In addition to contributions from the Rotary Club and baskets from the Community Center, items for the silent auction were provided by the House of Logan, Slicks, Sea Glass Spa, Eventide, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Robinson’s Wharf, the Southport General Store, Good n You, Boothbay Animal Hospital and MacDonald Stained Glass, among others.  Two pounds of picked lobster meat donated by Atlantic Edge Lobster caused a fierce bidding war before finally selling for $91.

Despite the dreary weather, some male guests wore summer hats but the ladies were the stars of a stunning millinery show. Among those wearing lovely spring hats were Olivia Tindal, the youngest, and Brenda Blackman who won the best hat award.

In what has now become a tradition, Boothbay’s Pam Utley led the group in singing “My Old Kentucky Home” and as the race bells sounded at 6:30, the “most exciting two minutes in sports” began. Viewers watched the live broadcast on the huge clubhouse screen as the horses raced for the finish.

Jim and Geraldine Botti won the raffle, and were presented with one dozen red roses from Boothbay Region Greenhouses and a basket of Derby-related items.

The Rotary team was chaired by Debbie Graves, who had worked with Irene Fowle and other club volunteers to create the event both years. “We want to have fun,” she said. “Rotary is now working to collaborate with groups that need to do fundraising.”

The event raised over $4,000 for the Community Center, almost twice as much as last year’s raised.