9th Annual Hats and Horses Derby Party

The Two Most Exciting Minutes In Sports and BEST PARTY of the year is the Iron Fish Distillery 9th Annual Hats & Horses Kentucky Derby Party! Line up your pals, get your best hat and bow tie ready and come prepared for BIG fun and the chance to support a great cause---Hats and Horses is a fundraiser for T.A.R.P. Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project

Saturday, May 2nd - 3:00-8:00 pm (21+ Only)

Arrival Time 2:45 p.m.

Arrive on time, to size up the Parade of Horses and get an up-close look at this year's contenders racing the Iron Fish Dirt Road Derby. Review pedigrees of this year's racing field and make your pick among Benzie and Manistee County racing legends. The track rounds the bend of Dzuibanek Road with the finish line directly in front of the distillery. Following the race, celebrate the crowning of the winning horse and jockey with the Garland of Roses. That's just the beginning!

Included with your ticket:

• Event Admission
• Two Delicious Derby Drinks (N/A options available)
• Live Dirt Road Horse Race
• Pre-Dinner Hors d'oeuvres
• Southern Pig Roast with all the Fixins’
• Yard Games
• Hat & Bowtie Contest
• Live Music | Little Dipper Band
• and much, much more…

FOR A GOOD CAUSE - Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project (TARP)

For our 2026, 9th annual Dirt Road Derby, we could not be more proud to have TARP as our non-profit partner.

"It makes us so happy to welcome the Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project (TARP) as our nonprofit partner for the 2026 Iron Fish Dirt Road Derby," said Iron Fish Partner Heidi Bolger. "TARP's focus on improving the quality of life for people who are residents and visitors to our region makes such a difference. Their current Trailhead Project is an extremely exciting development that truly connects communities and their broader community-led revitalization of Thompsonville fully aligns with our core values and community support priorities."

-Heidi Bolger | Co-Founder Iron Fish Distillery

About the Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project (TARP)

Mission Statement: The Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project (TARP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for all residents in the Thompsonville area.

TARP’s keystone project is the Thompsonville Junction Trailhead Project.

The goal is to create a modern trailhead along the Betsie Valley Trail near the historic Thompsonville Junction -a development TARP envisions as a transformational catalyst for the community. This project complements ongoing surface improvements being led by partner organizations westward toward Beulah and eastward toward Copemish. Once complete, the trailhead will position Thompsonville as the “hub of a wheel,” with trail “spokes” extending north, south, east, and west.

Designed to attract bicyclists, hikers, and trail users of all abilities, the project also includes significant enhancements to the existing primitive campground facilities in the adjacent Village Park to better accommodate bicycle campers. To date, TARP has raised over $1,176,250 in grants, donations, and pledges. A comprehensive design, engineering, and permit package was completed by Mansfield Land Use Consultants in January 2024, with the total construction cost estimated at $1,250,000.

A percentage of proceeds from the sale of tickets will be donated to TARP. There will also be auction items on-site to help raise more funds for this incredible non-profit!

Auction Items for TARP include:

• LOCAL EXPERIENCES
• DINING CERTIFICATES
• OVERNIGHT STAYS
• GIFT BOXES and ITEMS

NO REFUNDS ON TICKETS AFTER APRIL 15th

For further information contact: [email protected]

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