Staci and Tom Crisofulli and Sarah and Clint Jannsen wore their Derby best at the fourth-annual Vail Derby Party at Maya Restaurant. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Steve and Amy Kisielica, who dressed to impress, looked like they belonged in the Grandstand or clubhouse box seats at the Kentucky Derby during the Vail Derby Party. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Katie Biggers, Travis Coggin and Emily Selonik were out to support Childrenâs Garden of Learning at the Vail Derby Party on Saturday. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Patricia Lynch, Shelly Shanley, Carmel McGuckin and Megan Green represented well for the Lynch family, who were generous sponsors of the fourth-annual Vail Derby Party at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Brothers Keeper performs at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning, on Saturday at Maya Restaurant in the Westin. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Congratulations went out to the fourth-annual Vail Derby Party event planning team, including Kara Robinson, Danielle Siess, Chairwoman Sandra Lynch and Kathy Brendza. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Attendees sport their Kentucky Derby finest at the Vail Derby Party, a fundraiser for Children's Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
Sandra Lynch, Samten Aungae and Danielle and Kale Siess and a group of others try their hand at a horse-racing game at the Vail Derby Party. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
The 142nd âRun for the Rosesâ at the Kentucky Derby was aired at Maya Restaurant during the Vail Derby Party to support Childrenâs Garden of Learning. Betty Ann Woodland | Special to the Daily |
AVON — On Saturday afternoon at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa’s Maya restaurant, a beautifully clad group of revelers joined together to celebrate the Kentucky Derby and raise funds for Children’s Garden of Learning with the fourth annual Vail Derby Party.
Children’s Garden of Learning is a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool located in the heart of Vail. With 25 years of rich history in educating young children and a highly educated and qualified staff, Children’s Garden of Learning is one of Vail’s greatest assets. Each year, the school averages 75 students ranging in age from 18 months to 5 years. Two toddler rooms are limited to seven students each day to allow for increased individual attention in these busy, exciting growth years.
Great turnout
The fourth annual Vail Derby Party event chairwoman, Sandra Lynch, was happy with the huge turnout and the overall success of the soiree.
“We are so thrilled with the success of our fourth annual Vail Derby Party,” she said. “We could not have done it without our sponsors: Patricia and Frank Lynch III, KermaTDI, Vail Valley Pharmacy, 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits, Crazy Mountain Brewing Co., Avon Liquors, the Vail Daily, First Bank, Bold Solutions and our fantastic band, Brothers Keeper.”
Brothers Keeper guitarist Scott Rednor has a child who attends Children’s Garden of Learning, so he and his bandmates, bassist Michael Jude and drummer John Michel, were more than willing to play at the Vail Derby Party in support of the preschool.
Steve and Amy Kisielica are parents of children who attend Children’s Garden of Learning and have been pleased with the school.
“Children’s Garden is an incredibly nurturing and enriching preschool for not only our daughter but many of the valley’s kids, current, past and future,” Amy Kisielica said. “We want to make sure the preschool continues to thrive and make a positive impact on our local children.”
Dressed to the nines
Attendees brought out their Derby best, with colorful hats, dresses and suits, bringing a breath a fresh air and flair to the spring fling. The effort was not lost on Sandra Lynch.
“A special thank you goes out to all who attended the event to support the Children’s Garden of Learning,” she said. “What a fun and remarkably social group of people. We are looking forward to seeing everyone next year. Thank you from the event planning team: Sandra Lynch, Kara Robinson, Danielle Siess and Kathy Brendza.”
Prominent in the room were the extended Lynch family members, who enjoy the gift of giving. It seems that giving back has been a core value of the Lynch family. Educational institutions such as Children’s Garden of Learning have been the fortunate recipients of their generous donations and sponsorship of events.
During this 142nd Run for the Roses, which some believe is the “greatest 2 minutes of sports,” there were partygoers busy placing bets, playing horse-racing games, sipping on mint juleps and noshing on the delicious fare of Maya’s modern Mexican cuisine with a bit of spice that excites the taste buds. The Westin’s Maya restaurant provides a sleek setting for any soiree, and the mountain and Eagle River views from the deck are sensational.
Betty Ann Woodland is a longtime local who covers social events including fundraisers for nonprofits, local happenings and events of all kinds. She can be reached at bettyannw6@gmail.com.