The Fountain Hills Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) held a Kentucky Derby party Saturday, May 4, to raise money for women’s scholarships.

The event was held at the home of Susan and Phil Slapke in Fountain Hills, where approximately 60 PEO members and guests attended, decked out in derby attire and flowery hats on women and fedoras or straw hats on men, a press release read.

Arriving guests were treated to signature drinks of mint juleps in derby silver cups and a variety of sandwiches and derby-inspired food.

The hat parade included both women and men marching around the pool holding up their numbered paddles while guests voted on the prettiest and most creative hats.

Vicki Martin won the prettiest hat, Gloria Hachikian won the most creative and Craig Reinmuth won the best men’s hat.

The heads and tails game was won by Maria Wagaman and the trivia game, “All about the Kentucky Derby,” was won by Barbara Cardinal.

Guests were yelling and rooting for their favorite horse while watching the tense two-minute race on big-screen TVs for a three-horse photo finish.

John Weimer took first place by betting on Mystic Dan, Patti Olinyk for second place (Sierra Leone) and Vicki Martin for third place (Forever Young).

PEO raises money for three to four scholarships and grants each year for women who are residents of Fountain Hills.

The PEO thanks Susan and Phil Slapke for hosting this derby event in their home, Vicki Martin and Linda Tornabene for co-chairing the party and the “Run for the Roses” committee members (Inge Brockman, Barbara Cardinal, Debbie Elder, Mary Kay Flynn, Stephanie Harris, Nancy Jones, Luana Lochner, Pam Reinmuth, Debbie Romano, Susann Slapke and Maria Wagaman) for helping to make the derby a rousing success.

For more information about the Philanthropic Education Organization, visit peointernational.org.