It's not too late to plan your Kentucky Derby party

The Kentucky Derby is rich with Southern history and tradition, and a terrific day for a party.

Often billed as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," the race is the country's longest-running sports event, dating back to 1875. This year, the race falls on May Day, making it all the more reason to celebrate. Though our grass is not Kentucky blue, it's certainly lush and green and our evenings are as soft and fragrant as those at Louisville's Churchill Downs. After this long, dark winter, let's gather, albeit safely, with family and friends and revel in the promise of sunnier days ahead.

There's a rhythm to the Derby's daylong festivities, both on the track and at home. Races begin around noon and run until about 5 p.m., when the pomp and circumstance surrounding the main event begin. Finally, the premier horses are led to the starting gate — it's always a thrill to see the magnificent animals bolt, necks stretched, thundering down the track.

You might start your party midafternoon to enjoy the buildup to the finale, allowing time for guests to converse and catch up. I like to set out a bar for make-your-own mint juleps, the official Kentucky Derby drink. This way, guests can mix up their own — muddling the mint and deciding the amount of bourbon to sip. Provide other options such as ginger ale or spring water for nonalcoholic alternatives. The race's theme, "Run for the Roses," makes deciding on the table decorations easy; the winner is draped in a blanket of red roses weighing in at 40 pounds (hence the race's nickname).

The menu? Make it easy and make it ahead. Offer an assortment of hefty handheld appetizers that do not require fork or knife so that guests can fill small plates for grazing throughout the afternoon. Include biscuit sandwiches of smoked turkey or ham, pimento cheese (aka the caviar of the South) and a pale green cucumber spread called Benedictine along with crackers, bruschetta, old-fashioned deviled eggs, candied bacon and spiced nuts. All are as easy to serve as they are to eat.

Whether or not you've got a horse in this race, or even plan to watch the Derby, it's a wonderful time of year for a festive spring event. As the shadows lengthen and the evening winds down, set out a platter of Kentucky Derby bars and shortbread to end on a sweet note.

Makes about 12 to 16 strips.

• 1/2 c. packed light brown sugar or maple sugar

• 1/2 tsp. chili powder, optional

• 12 to 16 slices (about 1 lb.) of thick-cut bacon

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 1 or 2 rimmed baking sheets with aluminum foil and set a rack over the baking sheets. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and chile powder.

Serves 6.

These are always a hit. You can make them a day ahead and store in a covered container in the refrigerator. Leftovers are delicious chopped and tossed with diced celery for egg salad. From Beth Dooley.

• 6 large eggs

• 1 tsp. coarse Dijon mustard

• 2 dashes hot-pepper sauce, such as Tabasco, or to taste

• 3 tbsp. mayonnaise

• Chopped chives for garnish

Directions

Place the eggs into saucepan, cover with cold water, put the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, then immediately turn off the heat. Cover the pan and allow the eggs to sit for 10 to 12 minutes. Drain the eggs and rinse under cold water. Peel the eggs.

Cut the eggs in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the yolks. Place the yolks in a bowl and mash with a fork, then mash in the mustard, hot pepper sauce, salt, pepper and mayonnaise.

Serves 6.

We used this dip as a spread for open-faced baguette sandwich topped with sliced cucumbers, but it's equally tasty served as a dip with crackers or carrot sticks. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week. From Beth Dooley.

• 4 oz. cream cheese

• 1/4 c. minced green onions

• 1/4 c. cucumber, peeled, diced, and chopped, plus sliced cucumbers for topping

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 1 baguette, thinly sliced

Directions

Put cream cheese, green onion, chopped cucumber, dill and salt and pepper into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse into a soft spread, scraping down the sides several times. Turn into a bowl, cover and refrigerate if not using right away. Spread on a thinly sliced baguette and top with sliced cucumber.

Makes 3 cups.

• 1 tsp. coarse salt

• 1/2 tsp. coarse black pepper

• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

• 1 tsp. cinnamon

• 1 tbsp. light brown sugar or maple sugar

• 3 c. pecan halves

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together the salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and brown sugar.

On a baking sheet, toss together the pecans with 1 tablespoon of the butter to lightly coat. Spread the nuts out over the baking sheet. Bake until the nuts begin to smell nutty when toasted, about 10 minutes.

Pour the hot pecans into a large bowl and toss with the remaining butter and then with the spice mixture. Turn the nuts back onto the pan and spread them out. Return the pan to the oven and continue to roast, shaking the pan and stirring the nuts until browned and crisp. Remove, cool in the pan, then store in an airtight container.

Note: Everyone has their own idea of the perfect mint julep, so why not let guests make their own? Have these ingredients at the ready. Offer nonalcoholic alternatives such as bubbly spring water or ginger ale. To make simple syrup, combine equal parts of sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved and then cool. Firmly slap the mint sprig on the back of your hand before garnishing the glass; this releases the oil to make the mint more aromatic. From Beth Dooley.

• 8 mint leaves

• 2 sugar cubes or 2 tsp. simple syrup (see Note)

• 2 oz. (or 2 tbsp.) bourbon

• Mint sprigs for garnish (see Note)

Directions

In a small bowl or Julep cup, lightly muddle the mint leaves with the sugar or simple syrup. Add the bourbon. Pour over a small glass of crushed ice or ice cubes. Garnish with a mint sprig and bitters, if using.

Serves 6.

Note: You can make this ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two weeks. It's a wonderful spread for crackers and equally good tossed with noodles for mac and cheese. From Beth Dooley.

• 1 c. shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimento, drained

• 1/4 c. mayonnaise

• Generous shot of hot sauce, to taste

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Put cheese, cream cheese, garlic, pimento, mayonnaise, hot sauce and salt and pepper into medium bowl and work them together until they are combined. Using wet hands, shape into a ball and serve or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with red pepper flakes before serving.

Makes 12 to 18 bars.

Note: These replicate the flavors of the traditional Kentucky Derby pie but are far easier to make and way easier to eat. From Beth Dooley.

Crust:

• 1 tsp. salt

• 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, softened

• 1/4 c. sugar

Filling:

• 1/3 c. packed brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 3/4 c. dark maple syrup or corn syrup

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/2 c. coarsely chopped pecans

Directions

To prepare the crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cut together the flour, salt, butter and sugar until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Turn into an ungreased 8-inch baking pan and pat to distribute the dough evenly. Bake until the edges are light golden brown, about 18 to 22 minutes. Remove and set aside.

To prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, flour, and salt. Add the maple syrup, eggs and vanilla extract and mix well. Stir in the pecans and chocolate chips. Spread evenly over the crust and return to the oven. Bake until the filling is set, about 30 to 35 minutes. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Beth Dooley is the author of "In Winter's Kitchen." Find her at bethdooleyskitchen.com.