DERBY DAY, POLO LESSONS & MATCHES, FARM TO TABLE DINNER AND BALLOON RIDES. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW!!
A fun, casual event in the Heart of the Texas Hill Country in Fredericksburg, Texas. General Admission Guests will enjoy this event from 3PM’ish-8PM’ish. Those only looking for Hot Air Balloons (always extremely weather contingent) should not arrive before 6PM. Our VIP’s are invited to arrive at 12PM for a VIP only Paella lunch (while supplies last), a wine tasting (1PM-2PM Only) and a complimentary polo lesson (for VIP Guests Only) starting around 12PM’ish.
EVENT: Balloons are extremely weather contingent! If you are only coming for the balloon rides or to see the inflation you should NOT arrive until 6PM on Saturday. REPEAT. IF YOU ARE ONLY COMING FOR BALLOONS DO NOT, NOT, NOT ARRIVE until 6PM on Saturday.
WRISTBAND PICKUP: FRIDAY NIGHT is STEAK NIGHT. Eat like a KING or QUEEN THIS FRIDAY at Bankersmith (Friday) for $20!!! Come enjoy some Live Music and the BEST STEAKS in TOWN on FRIDAY! Stop on by between 5 PM and 7 PM at Bankersmith Texas Dance Hall and Saloon (7905 Old San Antonio Road, Fredericksburg Texas 78624)! FRIDAY NIGHT IS STEAK NIGHT! RIBEYES & LOADED BAKED POTATOES Bankersmith’s Famous Steak Plate w/ Sides $20 Live Music 6:30PM-9:30PM. Wristband pickup is NOT mandatory. Folks do it on Friday to beat the lines on Saturday.
VIP SAFARI TOURS: These tours are for our VIP guests only and must be scheduled in advance. Want to meet our Alpacas, Camels, Kangaroos, Zebras and more? Email us at amrit@blackstonetexas.com We currently have availability for these VIP Safari Tours on both Friday and Saturday at 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, 5PM and 6PM. Slots are limited and first come first serve, so email us now! Full details can be found at: www.grapetownvineyard.com
SATURDAY – DRESS FOR THE HEAT: It will be hot. Please dress accordingly. That said, please respect polo etiquette. Please no t-shirts, torn jeans etc. See here for ideas on how to dress: https://victorycup.org/farm-to-table-dinner-and-balloon-event-sept-2/what-to-wear/
VIP ALCOHOL & WINE TASTING: Let us be very clear. As stated in your VIP Ticket Description, your VIP Pass DOES include, “(1) WINE TASTING in the Grapetown Vineyard Tasting Room” BUT the VIP Pass “DOES NOT include any other beverages or drinks. You will be able to purchase cocktails, beer and wine at the bar throughout the day.” The wine tasting is held at the Grapetown Vineyard Tasting Room and runs for one hour only. The tasting is held on Saturday 1PM-2PM. While this is explicitly stated in the ticket description we have guests who simply do not read. Please plan on paying for your drinks day of as only this one tasting is included.
VIP PARKING for DERBY DAY: VIP’s do not have to pay to park. Our VIP’s do not have to pay for parking. There is no designated area specifically for VIP Parking. Being a large farm, we do not have specific parking lots. That said, we allow our VIP’s early entrance on Saturday and those VIP’s who show early typically get the premium parking spots.
VIP FARM to TABLE DINNER: Our menu will include Heritage Breed Baby Back Ribs, Country Potato Salad, a Salad and Bread. Due to the weather forecast, the Farm to Table Dinner will NOT be held outside on a long table exposed to the elements. Instead, we will have covered VIP Seating available for our VIP Farm to Table guests Fieldside (as well as other locations). VIP Guests will be able to get their Farm to Table Dinner Plates starting after the Derby (Approximately 5:30PM – Check in with the Chef and Team day of for updated timing)!
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE:
Small Vendor Area Opens
12PM-8PM
VIP Early Admission
12PM
King John & The Peasants
Performance in Grapetown Tasting Room
1:00-4:00 PM
VIP Only Paella Lunch
(Fieldside under VIP Polo Tent – Only While Available)
12-1PM’ish
Strolling Strings VIP Performance
Performance Fieldside under VIP Polo Tent
12:00-2:00 PM
VIP Only Wine Tasting
Fieldside under VIP Polo Tent
1PM’ish-2PM’ish
VIP Polo Lessons
Fieldside under VIP Polo Tent
12PM’ish-2PM’ish
VIP Only – Approx 30 Minute Lesson
Begins at 12PM’ish
Gates Open for General Admission –
3PM Sharp
Polo Match I
Fieldside Seating under Polo Tents
3PM-4PM’ish
Grapetown Grape Stomp
Directly in Front of Grapetown Vineyard Tasting Room
3:30PM’ish
Polo Match II
Fieldside Seating under Polo Tents
4PM-5PM’ish
Live Strolling Strings in Winery
Grapetown Vineyard Tasting Room
5:00-7:00 PM
Official Kentucky Derby Televised Live
Behind Grapetown Vineyard Tasting room
5PM
Best Dressed Competition
Behind Grapetown Vineyard Tasting room
Immediately Following Kentucky Derby
1st Prize $250 Gift Card to Jack’s Chophouse
2nd Prize $150 Gift Card to Martini’s Seafood House
3rd Prize $100 Gift Card Bankersmith Saloon
VIP Farm to Table Dinner
Fieldside Seating under VIP Polo Tents
5:45 PM’ish
Hot Air Balloon Glow & Rides (Weather Permitting)
Fieldside Seating under Polo Tents
When (and IF) Winds Allow
Scheduled for 6PMish – 9PMish
WEATHER & BALLOONS: If you are only coming to see the Hot Air Balloon, you should NOT arrive before 6PM on Saturday. Gates open at Grapetown Farm and Vineyard to the General Public at 3PM but the winds are not forecasted to drop until 6PM or so (if ever).
DANGEROUS ANIMALS: When you enter the Grapetown Vineyard and Farm property, stay in your vehicle and NEVER get close to fences. Maintain a car speed under 10MPH. We have free ranging livestock, children and guests. Please DO NOT SPEED on property. Do not attempt to pet or feed the animals. Stay 10 feet away from all fences. Some animals on our property are extremely dangerous. Take pictures from afar. Take a breath and get ready to enjoy the country!
PRINTED TICKETS: Wireless service and internet do not work on the property. PLEASE PRINT YOUR TICKETS in ADVANCE and HAVE THEM READY at entrance!
Need Local Recommendations? Check out: www.thingstodoinfredericksburgtexas.com
All things related to this event are subject to change and will be posted accordingly if changes occur.
