On Saturday, May 5, The Baggataway Tavern in West Conshohocken will host its 6th annual Derby de Mayo, a fantastic event celebrating both Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby. A tent will go up in the Baggataway’s large parking lot to set the stage for a day of outdoor fun and festivities will take place from 4 – 11 p.m.
As in previous years, the event will feature authentic Mexican food such as well-crafted tacos and house-made salsa. Under the outdoor tent, which is cash only, the Mexican theme will carry over to the beer, with Dos Equis and possibly Corona Light making an appearance for the festivities. In keeping with the Cinco theme, there will be tequila shots and margaritas for all to enjoy. On the Kentucky Derby front, the Baggataway’s skilled staff will be slinging mint juleps to help refresh you in the early summer heat.
In addition to the great food and drinks outside, Derby de Mayo will have three bands playing throughout the day: Pawnshop Roses, Slidepiece, and Conshohocken’s own Boatloads. If the celebration outdoors isn’t quite up your alley, head inside to the bar where the Baggataway will be serving their regular selection of beer, liquor and wine—and they’ll even pour it in plastic cups to take outside if you change your mind. Servers will also be dishing up tasty bar bites from their regular menu like burgers and wings to satisfy hungry festival attendees.
The event will run you a $5 cover charge, which will be donated in its entirety to Cradles to Crayons, a charity based in West Conshohocken whose work directly benefits low income and homeless children in the Philadelphia region. “We wanted to focus our charitable giving to a local organization,” said Baggataway co-owner Julie Keener. “Cradles and Crayons was a natural choice. They do great work and it’s been a great partnership so far.” Such a great partnership, she says, that the Baggataway’s staff has spent time volunteering at Cradles to Crayons’ facilities.
If you can’t make it out for Derby de Mayo, the Baggataway has a great craft beer lineup and good food year-round. In June they will feature an Avery tap takeover. Be sure to follow the bar’s Facebook page, Twitter feed or website to stay up-to-date on special events and beer tappings.
Read our recap from 2011’s Derby de Mayo by clicking here. Read more from Ryan on his blog, In Search of Beer.
