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Down the Stretch | Who are the celebrities that will appear at Kentucky Derby parties and events?

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

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Published: 9:54 PM EDT April 25, 2023
Updated: 2:45 PM EDT May 4, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

Kentucky Derby 149 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 3, 2023

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. Doors open at 5 p.m. Click here for ticket info!

Joe

Credit: AP
FILE - In this July 10, 2013 file photo, US singer Joe Thomas, known as Joe, during a press conference in honor of Mandela Day, at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Johannesburg, South Africa. For Grammy-nominated singer Joe, singing the hit song embattled singer R. Kelly wrote and produced for him is out of the question. "I've stopped performing the song," he said in a statement to The Associated Press, referring to "More & More," a Top 20 R&B success released in 2003. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)

Dru Hill (Louisville natives Jawaan "Smoke E." Peacock & Benjamin "Black" Bush) 

Credit: AP
R&B group Dru Hill performs after a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, Aug 6, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Stokley (of Mint Condition)

Credit: Robb Cohen/Invision/AP
Ricky Kinchen, Larry Waddell, vocalist Stokley Williams, Homer O'Dell and Jeffrey Allen as Mint Condition performing at Center Stage Theatre on Thursday, Mar. 13, 2014, in Atlanta. (Photo by Robb D. Cohen/Invision/AP)

Derby Soundstage May 4, 2023

The Derby Soundstage presented by LivSuite will happen at the Kentucky Exposition Center's Freedom Hall! Show is expected to begin at 6 p.m. Click here for ticket info!

DJ Drama

Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
DJ Drama arrives at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Jeezy                  

Credit: Robb Cohen/Invision/AP
Jeezy Performs during the Legendz of the Streetz Tour on Friday, April 1, 2022, in Atlanta. (Photo by Robb Cohen/Invision/AP)

Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris 

Credit: Robb Cohen/Invision/AP
T.I. and son King Harris Perform during the Legendz of the Streetz Tour on Friday, April 1, 2022, in Atlanta. (Photo by Robb Cohen/Invision/AP)

Trina

Credit: Trina
Rapper Trina

Barnstable Brown KY Derby Eve Gala May 5, 2023

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, is proud to announce the celebrity lineup for its 34th annual gala. The many celebrity guests will include:

Patrick Mahomes

Credit: Patrick Mahomes

Chris Pine

Credit: Chris Pine

Peyton Manning

Credit: Peyton Manning

Jack Harlow 

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Jack Harlow arrives at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Aaron Rodgers

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 03: Aaron Rodgers attends the 2013 Barnstable-Brown Derby gala at Barnstable-Brown House on May 3, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Smokey Robinson

Credit: WHAS
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 04: Smokey Robinson and Frances Robinson attend the 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Boyz II Men

Justin Hartley

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)

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)

Billy Gilman 

Ian Bohen 

Bret Baier

Robert Pine 

Jimmy Graham 

A.J. Hawk 

Doug E. Fresh 

Jordan Smith 

Emmitt Smith 

Credit: WHAS
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Emmitt Smith speaks at a media launch of the new Lincoln Motor Company MKZ sedan in front of Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center Plaza on December 3, 2012 in New York City. Ford is renaming its Lincoln division as the Lincoln Motor Co., as it looks to revive the luxury brand. The MKZ will arrive at dealerships later this month and will start at $35,925. The MKZ is the first of seven new Lincoln's that will go on sale by 2015. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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)

Unbridled Eve Derby Gala May 5, 2023

Michael "The Miz" Mizanin

Maryse Mizanin

Sheree' Whitfield 

Patricia Cooksey 

Percy 'Master P" Miller

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

D.B. Woodside

Lauren Zima 

Randy Travis 

Jerry Mathers

Nora Roberts 

Chris Redman 

Credit: AP
Chris Redman headshot, as Atlanta Falcons quarterback, photo

Cam Jordan 

Michael Bush 

Mark Ingram 

Mike Mills

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)

Bob Guiney 

Bob Guiney will attend a KY Derby event

Rob Angel 

Jean Cruguet 

Julien Leparoux 

Rob Base 

The Crashers 

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)

Steve's Derby Eve May 5, 2023

Steve Wilson will host his annual Derby Eve party at the 21C Museum Hotel on Oaks night. This year's theme is "Drag Circus". His featured guests include "Queer Eye's" Antoni Poworski, drag performer Bella Duballe and singer Macy Gray. It promises "light bites, performances and spectacles!" That party kicks off at 9 p.m. Click here for ticket info! 

Credit: AP
Macy Gray performs during the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

The Darrell Griffith Experience May 6, 2023

This premiere Derby party will feature a performance from actress and singer Coco Jones (Bel-Air) and legendary DJ Kid Capri. The Darrell Griffith Foundation Experience will hold the event on Derby night the Kentucky International Convention Center. Click here for more info!

Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Coco Jones arrives at the 54th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Derby Parties & Events Kentucky Derby Week &Weekend

Fest-A-Ville (Waterfront)

Marzz (May 1)

Midnight Star (May 2)

J.D. Shelburne (May 3) 

Velcro Pygmies (May 4) 

Taste of Derby (May 4)

Inaugural Crystal Blossom Women of Color Cancer Benefit Gala (May 4)

Round 149 (Muhammad Ali Center)

Celebrity Chef Darnell "Superchef" Ferguson (May 5 & 6) 

AKA Eta Omega Chapter 42nd Derby Brunch (May 6) 

Royal Creationz Entertainment presents Gucci Mane (May 6) 

Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Gucci Mane performs during the Festival d'ete de Quebec on Friday, July 12, 2019, in Quebec City, Canada. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Goodtimers Derby Finale Day Party (May 7)  

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

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