Melbourne Cup is one of Victoria’s most important days of the year – fashions on the field, free flowing champagne, and of course the race that stops the nation! But Melbourne Cup 2020 is set to look very different than previous years with the Victoria Racing Club officially confirming that they will not be opening the Flemington Race Course gates to Melbourne Cup spectators due to ongoing COVID restrictions.
There will instead be a dedicated interactive Cup Week website which will feature a digital Race book, tipping, sweepstakes competitions, trivia games as well as all the background stories to the horses, trainers and jockeys. There’s also set to be special Melbourne Cup picnic hampers available for order, and an exciting Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn competition.
So while we might not be trackside this year, there’s still no excuse not to join in on the 2020 Melbourne Cup celebrations from the comfort of your very own lounge room. Whether your toasting with a glass of bubbles with your family, watching the race across the fence with your neighbours, or logging in to a Melbourne Cup Zoom party, put on that fascinator and follow our guide to how celebrate Melbourne Cup 2020 COVID style.
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Don’t forget the decorations
Melbourne Cup isn’t complete without a beautiful floral centrepiece. It’s a great excuse to place an order with your local florist and decorate your home with fresh blooms. You’ll also be helping supporting a local business that’s probably been doing it pretty tough during COVID lockdown and you’ll get to enjoy the gorgeous floral arrangements for days after the cup.
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Join in on Fashions on your Front Lawn
We’re still waiting to hear the finer details about the Victoria Race Course’s Myer Fashions on the Front Lawn competition, there’s no reason why you can’t go ahead and organise your very own fashion competition with your friends, colleagues, or neighbours. Want to make it a little more interesting? Why not make it a COVID DIY fascinator competition where participants have to hand make their race day fascinator with items already found in their homes.
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Make it a special lunch
While we can’t be trackside enjoying canapés, you can still make the day special with a long lunch with friends and family. Melbourne Cup is the perfect excuse to get out the special champagne glasses, indulge in a decadent cheeseboard, or splash out on your favourite seafood.
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Organise a street sweeps
If you are still working from home, it doesn’t mean you need to miss out on the office sweepstakes and the chance to win some extra cash. Why not organise a sweepstakes with your neighbours? You can do an easy letterbox drop asking if your neighbours would like to join in and then from there divvy up the horses and the winnings!
While the 2020 Melbourne Cup will look a lot different this year, it doesn’t mean you still can’t have a fun filled day catching up with neighbours, friends, and family. Just remember to keep socially distanced, sanitise your hands, and wear a mask when necessary.