To borrow from Hunter S. Thompson’s essay, the Virginia Gold Cup is decadent and depraved.  Save a few details and the location, I am sure Mr. Thompson and I have similar horse race stories… or maybe not, because let’s face it, I’m a square. 

The 86th annual Virginia Gold Cup marks the fourth year our group has had a tailgate spread. 

Year One – 2008:

The gentleman of the group with Senator Mark Warner (on the campaign trail at the time and deeply concerned about my sunburn – I was a lobster). 

Year Two – 2009:

Year Three – 2010:

This year we moved on up to North Rail One, Spot #9.  This was the view from our tailgate.  Not too shabby. 

RP is typically in charge of all things Gold Cup, but Maggie, Dana and I swooped in this year and became the official party planning committee.  We definitely looked the part.

One of our fantastic ideas was to enter our tailgate into the Gold Cup Tailgate Competition.  Each judged tailgate is judged on theme, food and cocktails.  This meant we needed to bring our A-Game.  Our theme, after much deliberation, was ‘Tipsy in Madras.’  Banner making post to come.

As you could see from Maggie’s last post, we had no problems rounding up delicious food.

On the menu:
Country Ham Biscuits
Pretzel Roll Sandwiches (turkey and swiss and tuna salad)
Vegetarian Sandwiches on Chiabatta bread
Taragon Chicken Salad on Croissants
Cucumber and Smoked Salmon finger sandwiches (recipe to come)
Pimento Cheese
Tortellini Kabobs
Pasta Salad

Desserts:
Beebop-a-Reebop Rhubarb Custard Bars (recipe)
”Gold Cup” Pie (recipe to come)
Rhubarb Pie
Coconut Cake

Adult Beverages:
Drunken Arnold Palmers
Mint Julep Jello Shots (recipe to come)
Mint Juleps
Old Bay Bloody Marys
Mimosas
Assorted Lite Beer

We had a great time with the judges and got a good laugh of everyone trying the Mint Julep Jello shots.  They were a hit!  We didn’t place in the tailgating competition, but we had a fantastic spread that we were very proud of.  Don’t you just love that madras table cloth? 

And then the races (and the $1 bets) began:

On a side note, how terrible is that mustache?  He’s still rocking it, by the way.  Gah-ross.

It’s safe to say that a good time was had by all.