Photos by LORETTA JACKSON Touchstone Farm associates, from left, Becky Hawkes, of Merrimack; Meaghan Roote, of Townsend, Massachusetts; Winter Keeler, of Antrim; and Mike Hawkes, of Merrimack, sport some festive accessories at a recent fundraiser, “Jockeys & Juleps” hosted at The Biergarten in Merrimack on Kentucky Derby Day, May 7, by the Greater Merrimack - Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Members and friends of the Greater Merrimack-Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce joined other guests to support a recent charity gala, “Jockeys & Juleps,” a Kentucky Derby party presented on derby day, May 7, at The Biergarten, a rustic drink-and-event venue alongside Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack.

The venue boasts a big-screen television that showed the race to cheering party goers.

Proceeds of the evening benefited Touchstone Farm, a Lyndeborough horse farm specializing in therapeutic riding programs for all ages and abilities.

“We thank everyone for supporting this event, especially the friends from our presenting sponsors – Boss Blow Dry Bar, in Hudson, Wendi’s Cleaning Service, Inc., of Amherst., and Pure Barre, based in Bedford,” said Liz Calabria, GMSVCC president.

Calabria, a resident of Milford, offered guests a sumptuous buffet, derby games and a selfie stop with a backdrop of Churchill Downs race track. Drinks included Mint Juleps. Fancy hats or stylish bow ties were accoutrements to apparel choices.

Longshot derby winner Rich Strike captured the 148th “Running of the Roses” at Churchill Downs. Odds of 80-1 paid a return of $163 on a $2 bet.

Raffles of a diverse array of prizes including a membership at Hampshire Hills Sports & Fitness Club in Milford added more funds to the cache of dollars supporting not-for-profit programs at Touchstone Farm.

The farm is nationally acclaimed and recognized for providing welcome interludes between animals and humans.

Everyone attending “Jockeys & Juleps” went home with a tasty souvenir, a gift-boxed solid chocolate horse courtesy of Nelson’s Candies in Wilton.

More information on chamber events and membership can be had online: gmsvcc.org. Reach out to Touchstone Farm via the web: touchstone-farm.org.

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