By Carol Britton Meyer

The Friends of the Paragon Carousel are going “back to the races” with this year’s Derby Day fundraiser following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID19 pandemic.

Proceeds from the Aug. 20 event, now in its 11th year, will benefit the restoration and preservation of the historical Paragon Carousel.

“There’s no need to travel to Saratoga for the August races,” Carousel board of directors President Marie Schleiff told The Hull Times. “We’re hoping for a good turnout.”

Derby Day will take place at the Paragon Carousel from 7 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 20. Tickets are $50 each and may be reserved at www.paragoncarousel.com. In past years, the fundraiser was held on the same weekend as the Kentucky Derby in May.

Participants – dressed up as if they are “going to the races” – will enjoy an evening of simulated “derby” races among the carousel’s 66 carved horses, featuring prizes, raffles, silent auctions, gourmet finger foods, and a Derby Hat Contest. There will also be a cash bar.

Local businesses have an opportunity to sponsor a Paragon Carousel horse or chariot, Schleiff said. The $500 sponsorship for a chariot includes four event tickets, the corporate banner of the business on the chariot, and the company’s logo on the cover of the Paragon Carousel Derby Day Race Program.

Businesses that choose to sponsor a horse will have the opportunity to enter it into the Derby. All horse entrants are listed in the race program with the name of the horse and owner, and a name tag is placed on each horse. Those who sponsor horses are also invited to provide a decorated “Derby Hat” for their horse to wear for good luck.

Sponsorships include outside row horse, $300; first row jumper horse, $200; second row jumper horse, $150; and inside row jumper horse, $150. For information, call 781-925-0472 or contact Kim James at events@paragoncarousel.com.

Raffle donations are welcome as well, Schleiff said. After each race, all bets placed on the winning horse are included in a race raffle for the five top prizes. There also are advertising opportunities throughout the event to help the Friends build a stable foundation for the winter months, when the carousel operations are closed but the monthly bills continue to accumulate.