Two major events. One weekend. University graduations across the country. The 138th Kentucky Derby! Sitting for hours on stadium seats or folding chairs as some academic dean reads through names and honors. Sipping mint juleps (which I am not sure I like but it sounds glam), watching horses and jockeys in silks, feeling that moment of elegance (training, investments, hours of primping and less than two minutes of racing). For some parents or students, four years or more of tuition (easily more than $100k). . . . or more than $1,200 for finish line seats or $446 for other seats on the secondary market, according to an NBC website. And then the regalia. For commencement, flimsy black gowns (one size fits all) for students. As for the faculty have thicker robes and mortarboards; others (often from well-established European institutions) have dress worthy of an ecclesiastic in the Middle Ages—tam, brioche-like hat, rich velvet cloaks. The derby--everyone is dressed to the nines. The hats are particularly impressive--roses, veils, bows--nothing seems too eccentric or sublime for a derby. While at commencement, families might complain about large hats blocking their views as they try to digitalize the graduation ceremony, at the derby, it's a given. Given the choice and if money were no object, readers, which would it be? NOTE--if you opt for the derby, Ebay has a nice selection of hats!
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