LEESBURG — When the Magical Meadows announced that their annual fundraiser, The Magical Derby would be postponed due to a scheduling conflict with the entrainment company, Tippy Creek Winery was quick to step in with an offer to host an event on their behalf.

After some brainstorming of ideas, both Tippy Creek Winery and The Magical Meadows concluded that they both wanted to keep with the Kentucky Derby theme, maintain the event to align timewise with the Kentucky Derby, change up the entertainment and make the event more affordable so that more guests can experience a different kind of ‘fun’draiser! And with the approval of a special event license with the Indiana Gaming Commission A Paddock Party was created.

A Paddock Party; Wine Down to the Countdown will consist of a Millionaires Club (hats and heels) with tickets for early entrance, first to secure seating for best TV viewing of the race, first to play the many horse themed 50/50 dice games, appetizers, one free guess to the guess-the-cork game and both cornhole and horseshoe tournaments.  The infield ( t-shirts and flip flops) with outside seating is available with an entry fee with budget friendly 50/50 games, food truck on premise for food purchase, sunroom TV viewing of the race, live music and entry into Millionaire Club for game playing only.

The popular derby hat contest with prizes for win, place and show will allow for some very creative entries, a donated Polywood Vineyard Bench will be available for raffle along with many other prizes and surprises throughout the event.

Tippy Creek Winery is Kosciusko County’s first farm Winery and opened last year to rave reviews. They feature fermented on location wine, hard cider, wine slushies and sangria by the pitcher. They will offer their own wine mint julep for the Paddock Party going with the Kentucky Derby theme and keeping with their own spirit of locally themed names for their wine.

The Magical Meadows is our local therapeutic horseback riding center for adults, children and service veterans with special needs. The non-profit riding center is dependent on fundraising events to maintain their mission of providing services to our special needs community as they do not receive any Local, State or Federal funding for operating expenses.

The Paddock Party will be held on May 6 with doors opening at 5 p.m. for the Millionaire Club and infield to open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets available thru Tippy Creek Winery’s Facebook page, with limited tickets available for the Millionaire Club . No guest under the age of 21 permitted, valid ID required. All proceeds to benefit the Magical Meadows Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center.