In 2011, Mother’s Day falls on May 8, the day after the Kentucky Derby. As many of you know, we take the Derby extremely seriously here at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast, as we have since way back when (1968) in Gettysburg. We have some serious fun, that is.

If your mom is as big a fan of the Kentucky Derby as we are, why not join us at the inn the weekend of May 7-8, 2011. Toast your mom with a Mint Julep. Buy her a fantastically outrageous hat. Float her the $2 to place on a horse, and if you win, share your earnings with her. Now that would be a Mother’s Day to remember.

Chip and the sisters. Picture your mom in a fancy hat standing here with Chip.

That’s what it’s like during Kentucky Derby weekend at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast. We all don fancy hats (and sometimes fancy duds as well), Chip makes vats of mint juleps, and a grand time is had by all.

We still have a couple of openings at our Bed and Breakfast Cape May during Kentucky Derby weekend, May 7 and 8, 2011. We hope you’ll join us.

Below are snapshots from past Derby Days at John F. Craig.

Derby Days in Cape May.

The only requirement is that you wear a hat.

Gerry and Tracey have celebrated Derby Days with us since 2000.

Fun.

It’s almost time for the annual Kentucky “Derby Days” at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast, and we still have a couple of rooms available. We’re doing our part to keep this longstanding tradition alive!

In Louisville, Kentucky, the race in on.  In our bed and breakfast Cape May, the Mint Juleps flow. There is always a contest for the finest hat – and we define “finest” quite loosely. How often do you get to wear something outrageously gorgeous with aplomb?

If you can tear yourself away from the fun at our Cape May NJ b&b, there are many other activities in town the weekend of May. It is the Cape May Wine Weekend and the Strictly Jersey Boat Show. The Secret Garden Tours will provide peeks into beautiful backyards around town, and the Private Homes Tour provides access into some of the loveliest old homes in Cape May.

The list goes on: the Emlen Physick Estate will be home to a Crafts and Antique Show, as well as a Food, Flowers and Fun Festival. Dance to the music, browse the vendors, and enjoy good food in this picturesque setting. In the evening, Aleathea’s Restaurant will have a Murder Mystery Dinner.

Back at the inn, we’ll be enjoying ourselves in style. Check out a few pictures from last year’s Derby Days at our Cape May B&B.

Simply stunning.

Gorgeous.

Derby Days at John F Craig House

Derby Days in our Cape May NJ bed and breakfast

Cape May Bed Breakfast Derby Days

Fun hats at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast

Too much fun at Bed Breakfast Cape May

We hope you can join in Derby Day fun next year.

The sisters at JFC Kentucy Derby

Our Kentucky Derby party has been a tradition since our Gettysburg days before we came to Cape May in 1991. Requirements are a hat and a $2 bet for a horse randomly pulled from a vintage hat. Winner takes all…and then takes all to dinner (just kidding). No losers here – just lots of laughs and Chip’s mint juleps always contribute to the fun. Jerry and Tracey have not missed a year since their 1st trip in 2000. Steve works all year on his hat and was in blue in 2008.

Waiting for the race to begin

Many guests rebook a year in advance. By the way – you always have first rights of refusal – by booking your room a year in advance – you are promised “your” room, and this year’s price.

We are sure that 2009 will be as much fun as all past Kentucky Derby parties. How can it not be? Great people, great hats, great food and drink. No matter who wins the kitty, everybody is a winner.

Jerry and Tracey, regulars since 2000

Steve in blue in 2008

Just needs to be a hat