Manasota Mystique: Derby After Dark to Honor Hometown Champion Cherie DeVaux
Exclusive November 7th Event at Crestwood Ranch Celebrates Englewood, Gives Back to Local Students
Get ready to dress to impress, raise a glass and experience a night unlike anything else in Englewood!
The Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce is bringing Manasota Mystique: Derby After Dark to Crestwood Circus Ranch on Saturday, November 7, 2026, for an exclusive evening celebrating community, hometown pride and the people who make Englewood such a special place.
Limited to 200 guests, this glamorous Derby-inspired evening will honor Cherie DeVaux, a graduate of Lemon Bay High School who has gone on to make her mark as a prominent Thoroughbred trainer. The Chamber is proud to celebrate DeVaux’s accomplishments and her roots in the Englewood community.
“Cherie is a true hometown success story, and we are incredibly proud to honor her” said Kim Parks, Membership Coordinator for the Englewood Chamber. “She grew up here, graduated from Lemon Bay High School, and has gone on to accomplish remarkable things in the world of horse racing. Manasota Mystique is our way of celebrating Cherie and showing her just how proud her hometown is of her.”
Guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring great food, bourbon tasting, live music by Crossfire Creek, billed as “The Most Wanted Rock Country Band in the Land” along with other entertainment and plenty of Derby-inspired fun.
Dinner will be catered by Smoke & Thyme, and dessert from The Sorbet Society. Guests can enjoy drinks from Sportsman’s Pub and an exclusive bourbon tasting hosted by Mark Knauf, CPA. The evening will also feature a special appearance by Passion Folkloria, a cigar lounge courtesy of CigarsAccessories.Com, and a unique photo opportunity sponsored by Englewood Lock & Key Locksmith.
Thanks to Abel’s Marine, guests will receive a custom whiskey glass featuring special cutouts designed to hold their cigar, a memorable keepsake from an equally memorable evening. The Chamber is also proud to announce LECOM Englewood Family Practice as the Title Sponsor of Derby After Dark.
More Than a Night Out…An Investment in Englewood
While Manasota Mystique promises an elegant and entertaining night at the races, the event has an important purpose beyond the celebration. Proceeds from the event help fund scholarships for Lemon Bay High School students and support the Englewood Chamber’s many free community events throughout the year. Those events include Pioneer Days, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, and other programs that bring residents, businesses and visitors together throughout the year. That connection makes this year’s celebration particularly meaningful: a Lemon Bay High School graduate who has achieved success on the national horse racing stage is being honored at an event that helps provide opportunities for the next generation of Lemon Bay students.
Tickets & Sponsorships Still Available. With attendance limited to 200 guests, tickets are limited and sponsorship opportunities are still available.
So, dust off your boots, grab your hat, raise a glass and get ready for a night at the races!
The Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting local businesses, strengthening the local economy and creating opportunities that bring the community together. Through networking, advocacy, events, scholarships and community programs, the Chamber works to make Englewood a vibrant place to live, work and do business.
The Englewood Chamber: Seriously Fun Business.
Kim Parks-Membership Coordinator