Oklahoma City’s Remington Park has kicked off Oklahoma Derby Week, a slate of social and fundraising events that will wrap with the Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, Sept. 27. The week combines horseracing, fashion and food-and-drink hospitality as organizers aim to raise money for local nonprofit organizations.
Events aim to boost local charities
The week’s programming includes a wine festival staged in the garden area of Remington Park’s north track plaza and a hat-and-bowtie contest that will feature multiple style categories. According to the track, the wine festival will showcase wineries from Oklahoma, and tickets to that event are priced at $40.
The hat-and-bowtie contest is divided into four style divisions: most elegant, most creative, best bow tie and best couple. The track says the top three contestants in each category will receive prize money. Remington Park also describes a broader "best-dressed" element of the week that is free for guests to attend.
What to expect and how the week is structured
For many attendees, the week provides a mix of social activity and philanthropy: wine tastings, style competitions and the centerpiece race day all funnel attention — and proceeds — toward nonprofit causes in the region. Organizers emphasized locally sourced vendors for the wine festival and public participation in the fashion contests as ways to boost community engagement.
- Wine festival: Garden area of the north track plaza; wineries from Oklahoma; ticketed ($40).
- Hat and bowtie contest: Four divisions; prize money for top three in each category.
- Best-dressed event: Free for guests to attend.
- Oklahoma Derby: Closing event on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Practical information for attendees
Remington Park has framed the week as family-friendly and community minded, with multiple entry options depending on whether visitors want to attend the wine festival, participate in the fashion contests or simply enjoy race day. Tickets for the wine festival are available now through Remington Park’s sales channels; organizers encourage advance purchase given limited capacity in the garden plaza.
Attendees planning to enter contests should arrive early to register and review category rules. While the track has not released a full, itemized schedule for each day of the week, the principal attractions — the wine festival, the hat-and-bowtie contest and the Oklahoma Derby — are the focal points of the programming.
| Event | Location | Cost | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine festival | North track plaza garden | $40 (ticketed) | Ongoing during Derby Week |
| Hat & bowtie contest | Remington Park (contest area) | Varies (contest entry) | Derby Week |
| Oklahoma Derby | Remington Park | Event day pricing | Sunday, Sept. 27 |
Local impact and charitable focus
Remington Park framed the week as an opportunity to channel entertainment spending into charitable contributions. While the track did not release a full accounting of beneficiary groups, the week’s stated purpose is to support local nonprofit organizations through fundraising tied to ticket sales and event activities.
That approach follows a broader pattern in metro-area event programming, where organizers pair a public-facing social event with a fundraising component to raise awareness and dollars for local initiatives. Guests who purchase tickets or participate in contests should inquire with Remington Park staff or event volunteers about how proceeds are distributed and which nonprofits are benefiting.
How to participate
For residents interested in attending, Remington Park’s website and box office are listed as resources for purchasing tickets, registering for contest participation and reviewing any updated schedules or entry requirements. Given the popularity of themed race-week events in the region, advance planning is recommended.
Oklahoma Derby Week presents an accessible way for Oklahomans to support nonprofits while enjoying a mix of local wine, fashion competition and the excitement of race day. The week culminates with the Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, Sept. 27, the capstone event organizers hope will drive attention and funding to the charitable partners involved.
