LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – It is once again time for Gateway Industries’ annual Derby Day in Lewisburg. This event helps support Gateway’s mission of helping individuals with various disabilities in the workforce.
The 27th annual Derby Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, between 4 and 8 p.m. at Cecil H. Underwood Blvd. at the West Virginia State Fairgrounds. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. To purchase a ticket in advance, call Gateway Industries at 304-645-3165. All proceeds from the event go towards an upcoming project for the organization.
This year’s live entertainment features Richard Hefner and the Blue Mountain Bluegrass Boys. The silent auction contains multiple celebrity items, including signed memorabilia from Eric Clapton, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Muhammed Ali. The auction also contains an NFL Pittsburg Steelers’ helmet signed by Terry Bradshaw, Ben Roethlisberger, Lynn Swan, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Le’Veon Bell, Troy Polamalu, Franco Harris, Mean Joe Greene, Ron Woodson, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert.
As a private, nonprofit community rehabilitation program, Gateway Industries strives to provide “employment and vocational services to individuals presenting with a variety of physical, cognitive and/or psychiatric disabilities.” The organization serves Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas counties.
For more than 20 years, Gateway Industries has hosted Derby Day at the State Fairgrounds. The event includes food, live music, a silent auction and the Kentucky Derby playing on multiple big-screen televisions. Additionally, there is a Most Spectacular Hat Contest for attendees, in the fashion of the Kentucky Derby, which includes prizes for the winners.
A longtime event attendee, who wished to remain unnamed, recently spoke about her experiences with the event. She stated that when the event began, around 27 years ago, it was held under the grandstand at the State Fair.
While there are many details about the event, some are more vital. Among the things that stand above is the mission behind Derby Day. The individual also said, “First of all, in addition to it being lots of fun, it supports a very special group of people in the community.” She continued, “Gateway has been here in this community for years and serving people with disabilities. So, the fact that we can offer more to them all the time and really have a wonderful time doing it is very special.”
During the pandemic, the event was unable to take place. A representative noted that when they resumed, participants expressed high levels of excitement. Derby Day regularly attracts around 500 people and support from local businesses.
For more information on Gateway Industries or Derby Day, go to www.gatewayindustrieswv.org, visit their Facebook page or call 304-645-3165.
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