Self described as a day of fashion, music, racing, and cocktails The Cup returns for another year at Hastings’s Racetrack.
An outdoor day party and excuse for attendees to get dressed in their Sunday’s Best, on a Saturday. For those who have never been expect sundresses, high heels, and fascinators for women. And the men in suspenders, bow ties and Ecuadorean straw hats. The goal is to see and be seen. And there is even a competition for the best dress to challenge and set the bar high for this dress up party.
And if you are dressed up there might as well be many opportunities to take photos of you in your best. Be it by the track itself of what is set up by individual vendors hawking their wares.
I liked the Jarritos lounge with beach chairs, a sofa, and a jumbo game of connect four to play.
Aperol had a great sectioned off space for their customers that included Astro-turf, seating, and shade from golf umbrellas. Peroni beer had a similar space accessible for anyone to come and enjoy one of their drinks at.
The remaining by the track suites were dedicated to corporate sponsors and their guests, plus VIPs and track box holders who paid more for more. This included grand stand seats with a vantage view. Everyone else with general admission tickets could grab a seat in the bleachers.
Tickets only grant you access to the arena and allows you to spectate the sport of racing and the live musical performances thereafter. However, this does not include food or drink so be prepared to budget for that. But on that note, I did notice that this year there were more things to do and some free swag to be had. Including drinking aids from Proliverate, terry cloth bucket hats from Sake Bomb canned cocktail, branded folding fans from The Bontist gin, Aperol, and St. Remy; and silk bow ties plus drawn caricatures courtesy of Lincoln motor vehicles.
We would grab the above mentioned canned Sake Bomb in berry and peach flavour.
As well as the enjoy a St. Remy lemonade.
But if you can only have one drink, it should be the official cocktail of the occasion served out of Fairmount Pacific’s mobile drink cart. Named the “Official Welcome Cocktail” with Remy Martin VSOP, rhubarb, strawberry, lemon, and black tea. Served tall on ice with a rhubarb twist garnish.
Other drink vendors included margaritas by Casamigos, Tito’s vodka, Elijah Craig bourbon on the rocks, Ole canned tequila cocktails, and Dillons small batch canned cocktails; amongst others.
As for food guests had the option of purchasing a meal from the likes of Pawn Shop for tacos, Lee’s Donuts, Risotto Party pop up, burgers by Hundy, contemporary Greek cuisine from Loula’s Greek Tavern, and Nuba.
We would grab an iberico sandwich and a bag of caviar chips to munch on from Arc. And considered beating the heat with some gelato from Uno.
This is the twelfth edition of Vancouver’s take on the Kentucky derby. And this year this daytime festival was bigger and better than ever, playing host to over 10,000 derby revellers.
If you missed this one, Feaster is presenting two more similar events the following week: Punchbowl and Rosé Disco.
Punchbowl is a celebration of cocktails and barbecue happening next Saturday, July 29th and the PNE fairground.
Taken from their website, “Known as one of Vancouver’s best tasting events of the year, Punchbowl features over 50+ vendors sampling over 250+ of the finest summer spirits, beer and cider cocktail creations, wine, and delicious food.” With live music throughout the day.
Rosé Disco is a new one. And as its name suggests on Sunday, July 30th you dress in pink and white and enjoy rose all day. At this wine fest and picnic you can sample and taste “25+ local and international rosés, a culinary feast from Van City’s finest & live DJ Sets from Felix and friends; in an all while immersive party of pink & white”. As per their website.
