NEW ULM — The 150th Kentucky Derby didn’t disappoint anyone looking for a close finish Saturday.

The race was so close, slow motion was needed to see Mystik Dan edge Sierra Leone and Forever Young. It was the 26th time the race was decided by the length of a neck or less at Churchill Downs.

But that wasn’t the only excitement at the second annual Black Frost Distillery Derby Party Saturday. Fancy hats, dresses, vests and sport coats dominated an excited crowd of several hundred.

Carisa Buegler of New Ulm won the Best Dress contest. Wearing the winning dress was a last-minute decision.

“I saw the dress at my great niece’s birthday party today. They had it as a derby decoration. I asked them if I could take it with me and they said sure,” said Buegler.

Aaron Kosola of New Ulm won the best hat contest with a homemade roses and two race horses and jockeys on his derby hat.

“I just thought how can I make something that looks like a horse race on my head. I used a glue gun and bunch of things I ordered from Amazon Prime,” he added.

Mary Gilles of New Ulm was best hat contest runner-up.

Sarah and August Allen of Mankato, both formerly of Sleepy Eye, won the best dressed couple contest. Candace Norton of North Mankato and Chris Bechtold of Lake Crystal were runner-up.

Contest winners received a $100 gift certificate.

“I’ve been to derby events before but nothing quite like this. This is super fun. It’s a great event and fun to see everyone dressed up. I appreciate Black Frost for hosting this,” said Sarah Allen.

“We’ve been to other Kentucky Derby parties. We went to Vegas last year for the Kentucky Derby. She’s won three best dressed contests at the Waconia winery. This is our first couples win. We’ll probably come back next year and compete again with different outfits. This is a great event,” said August Allen.

Party-goers included Rhonda Nelson of St. Louis Park.

“It’s nice to get outside and do something again. This is really fun. We don’t have anything like this in St. Louis Park. Everyone is so friendly,” Nelson said.

“On top of that, I won $300 in pull tabs,” she added.

Live music including old country and honky-tonk tunes were provided by the 241s band of Minneapolis.