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Down the Stretch | These celebrities will appear at Kentucky Derby 150 parties, events in Louisville

Here's a look at the who's who that will be in Louisville leading up to the greatest two minutes in sports.

Sherlene M Shanklin, Kailen Olison

YuliaB - stock.adobe.com

Published: 5:29 PM EDT April 18, 2024
Updated: 12:55 PM EDT May 1, 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

The historic 150th running of the Kentucky Derby is right around the corner and the celebrity-filled events are starting to announce their guests.

WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin will have updates on who’s attending the Derby and the events leading up to it.

Louisville Urban League Gala May 1, 2024

The gala, an official event of the Kentucky Derby Festival, will take place at the Norton Sports and Learning Complex in the Russell neighborhood. The attire is cocktail or black tie. The Derby Gala Mardi Gras Louisville is from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.  

The event will feature artists Jon Batiste and DJ Mannie Fresh. 

Jon Batiste 

Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Jon Batiste performs during the the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

DJ Mannie Fresh 

Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Mannie Fresh performs during Shorty Gras presented by the Krewe of Freret at Mardi Gras World (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Trifecta Gala May 3, 2024

The Trifecta Gala will be held on Derby Eve on Main Street in downtown Louisville. The event is from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.  

This year's entertainment will be Bruno Mars.  

Bruno Mars 

Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Bruno Mars accepts the award for album of the year for "An Evening with Silk Sonic" at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Chris Tucker 

Barnstable Brown KY Derby Eve Gala May 3, 2024

The Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala, internationally recognized as the “premier” Kentucky Derby gala and counted among the “Ten Best Parties in the World” by Condé Nast. 

Kid Rock 

Credit: host
Kid Rock arrives at the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Gail Kamenish)

Cole Hauser 

Tracy Morgan

<p>Tracy Morgan</p>

Aaron Rodgers 

Josh Groban 

Sheryl Lee Ralph 

Smokey Robinson 

Jack Harlow 

Credit: Jack Harlow No Place Like Home: The Kentucky Tour

Bobby Brown 

Credit: WHAS
bobby-brown-1.jpg

Wynonna Judd 

Tina Knowles 

Daryl 'DMC' McDaniels 

Clay Walker 

Boyz II Men

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 02: Nathan Morris; Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman of 'Boyz II Men' attend the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala at Barnstable Brown House on May 2, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)

Joey Fatone

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 02: Joey Fatone attends the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala at Barnstable Brown House on May 2, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)

Lee Brice 

Travis Tritt

Credit: host
travis tritt.jpg

Randall Cobb 

Credit: WHAS
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 02: Football player Randall Cobb attends the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala at Barnstable Brown House on May 2, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)

Holly Robinson Peete 

Credit: WHAS
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 19: Holly Robinson Peete attends 16th Annual DesignCare To Benefit The HollyRod Foundation at The Lot Studios on July 19, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for DesignCare)

Larry and Dannielynn Birkhead  

Credit: Tom Lally/WHAS-TV
Larry and Dannielynn Birkhead pose for photos on the red carpet at the Barnstable Brown Gala May 6, 2022.

Doug E. Fresh 

Pepa of Salt N' Pepa 

Mickey Guyton 

Eddie Montgomery 

Credit: host
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 09: Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry attends the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Billy Gilman 

Stephen Amell

Devante Adams 

Jordan Smith 

Nappy Roots 

Martha MacCullun 

Natalie McQueen 

A.J. Hawk 

 

Unbridled Eve Derby Gala May 3, 2024

The Unbridled Gala is a night of celebration, long-lasting impact, the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, held on Derby Eve, May 3, 2024, is an evening of southern grace, glamour, and hospitality with a charitable component. Held at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville, the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala will feature a red carpet entrance with celebrities, bourbon, amazing cocktails, new mocktail bar, southern-inspired food, musical entertainment, and dancing!  

Rauw Alejandro

Dean Norris

Bilal Powell

John Schneider 

Chef Edward Lee 

Michael Colyar 

Randy Travis 

Credit: John Davisson/Invision/AP
FILE -In this June 7,2013 file photo, Randy Travis performs at the 2013 CMA Music Festival in Nashville TN. (Photo by John Davisson/Invision/AP, File)

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Sep 25, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during media day at the Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Madison Marsh, Miss America 2024 

Marc Martel 

Mario Urrutia 

Dee Dee Sorvino 

Michael Bush 

Nick Vallelonga

Michael Colyar

Lisa Leslie  

Credit: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP
Lisa Leslie attends the world premiere of "Uncle Drew" at Alice Tully Hall on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Warren Moon 

Credit: WHAS
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 03: Warren Moon attends the Unbridled Eve Gala for the 139th Kentucky Derby at The Galt House Hotel & Suites' Grand Ballroom on May 3, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for York Sisters, LLC)

Heather French Henry 

Aron Haddad 

Rob Angel 

Conrad Bachmann 

Nick Vallelonga 

Harry Douglas IV

Festus Ezeli

J.D. Shelburne 

Bob Guiney 

Bob Guiney will attend a KY Derby event

Bonnie-Jill Laflin 

Credit: WHAS
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 03: Bonnie-Jill Laflin attends the Unbridled Eve Gala for the 139th Kentucky Derby at The Galt House Hotel & Suites' Grand Ballroom on May 3, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for York Sisters, LLC)

Kentucky Derby Festival Court 

Ethan the Dog 

Akoy Agau

Valerie Combs 

Geneo Riley 

Treach

Credit: Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP
Treach of Naughty by Nature performs at Rachael Ray's Feedback Party South by Southwest Music Festival (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP)

Skip Martin 

John Elefante 

The Louisville Crashers 

DJ 2nd Nature 

Mike Mills

MAJOR.

Richie Sambora 

Credit: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP
Richie Sambora arrives at the 2018 ASCAP Pop Music Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

Johnny Edwards 

Dee Dee Sorvino 

Jean Cruguet 

Dean Norris 

Churchill Downs Guest List May 3 -4, 2024

Here's a look at Churchill Downs' special guest for Kentucky Derby 150. 

 

Wynonna Judd 

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Wynonna Judd arrives at the CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Emmitt Smith 

Credit: AP
Emmitt Smith announces South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Tolbert as the Dallas Cowboys selection during the NFL football draft (AP Photo/John Locher)

Brooks Nader 

RELATED: Churchill Downs selects Kentucky native, country music icon to sing National Anthem at Derby 150

Kentucky Derby Festival April 19-May 5

The Derby Festival’s annual kick-off luncheon will be a knockout! Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard will be the featured speaker at the Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual "They’re Off! Luncheon" Presented By BAE Systems on Friday, April 19.

Credit: Kentucky Derby Festival

More upcoming Derby Festival events:

  • Fest-A-Ville (Waterfront)
  • Ohio Valley Wrestling Run for the Ropes (April 26)
  • Ken-Ducky Derby (April 26)
  • Soiree Derby Drag Show (April 27) 
  • Pegasus Parade (April 28) 
  • Mascot Party (April 28) 
  • GospelFest (April 28)

Derby Parties, Events Kentucky Derby Week

Here's a look at some upcoming Kentucky Derby 150 parities and events we're keeping an eye on!

  • 37th Annual Kentucky Derby Museum Ball and Backstretch Party (April 26)
  • Derby City Gospel Explosion (April 27)
  • Triple Crown Trivia (April 27)
  • Soiree Derby Drag Show (April 27)
  • Annual Sunday Before Derby Concert (April 28) 
  • Race for Grace (April 29)
  • Roots 101 Derby Celebration Gala Night (April 30) 
  • Derby Handicapping Dinner (April 30)
  • 2nd Annual Women of Color Cancer Benefit Gala (May 2) 
  • 62nd Running Kindergarten Derby (May 2)  
  • Back to the Derby: 80s Dance Party (May 2)
  • Silks Bash Derby Eve Party (May3) 
  • Goodtimers Derby Experience (May 3) 
  • Revel at the Races (May 3) 
  • AKA Eta Omega Chapter 42nd Derby Brunch (May 4)
  • KMAC Art Brunch (May 4) 
  • Goodtimers Annual Derby Day Party Finale (May 5) 

Tim Tebow -Race for Grace 

Credit: AP
Former NFL player Tim Tebow speaks during a an SEC television broadcast, Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, in Atlanta (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Nischelle Turner -AKA Eta Omega Chapter Derby Brunch 

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Nischelle Turner arrives at the 30th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Chainsmokers-Revel at the Races 

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Musicians Alex Pall, left, and Andrew Taggart of The Chainsmokers attend the amfAR Gala New York AIDS research benefit at Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

This story will be frequently updated. More information will be added as it becomes available.

►Contact WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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