I was born and raised in Miami and the Kentucky Derby is not an annual event that I pay attention to. But as I got older, I realized that the derby is a revered American tradition filled with amazing things like pastel color-coordinated outfits, big hats, and mint juleps. (Oh yes, there's horse racing, too.) Another great element of the annual Kentucky Derby is its social aspect. People flock to Louisville for Derby weekend to gossip and turn heads, and if you want to see what the stars and socialites are up to, these 2017 Kentucky Derby Celebrity Parties are just the place to go.
Since I'm not exactly a racing fan, I'm one of those people who does some serious partying and celebrity spotting in Louisville. But obviously, derby parties are a pretty big deal and they take place throughout much of derby week.
If you happen to be attending this year (or next year, or whenever - the parties are staying pretty consistent) or are just following the fun online, here are some Kentucky Derby parties with tons of celebrities.
Unbridled Eve Party
The seventh annual Unbridled Eve Gala will be held on May 5 in the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville. Most of the proceeds from the gala will be donated to Blessings In A Backpack, which provides meals to underprivileged elementary school students, and 16 other non-profit organizations will also benefit. Some celebrities on the 2017 lineup reportedly include Sharon Stone, Selma Blair, Mira Sorvino and Beau Brie, according to Louisville Business First Beau Bridges.
Barnstable Brown Gala
The Barnstable Brown Gala was held on the evening of May 5 at the home of Patricia Barnstable Brown. WDRB lists celebrities who attended the 2017 gala, including Tom Brady, Tracy Morgan, Justin Hartley, Aaron Rodgers ) and music by Harry Connick, Jr., Kacey Musgraves, Boyz II Men and more. Over the past decade, the gala has donated $13 million to the University of Kentucky's Barnstable Brown Kentucky Diabetes and Obesity Center for diabetes research, the Courier Journal reported.
Gentlemen's Derby Festival
Esquire will host a gala on May 5 at the 21c Museum Hotel. Chef Mike Wajda will provide the food, and according to WDRB , the celebrity lineup reportedly includes Adrian Grenier, Bobby Flay, Kimbra, Ray J, and more. I have to say, the attendees were a motley bunch. While most of the parties are sold out, VIP tickets for the event still appear to be $650. If your wallet isn't quite ready for this commitment, you can always check out the photos online over the weekend.
Mares and Stallions
The Fillies & Stallions party is so unique, they don’t even sell tickets. According to WDRB, to attend the party, you need to be invited. Essentially, you need to be the one attending. The party's celebrity guest list is kept secret, but past attendees include Ashton Kutcher, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Manilow and Joey Fatone, according to the official website.
three consecutive wins
Former NBA basketball player and Louisville businessman Junior Bridgeman is joining the Derby party scene, hosting an inaugural party called "The Trifecta." Sinbad will host the gala on May 5 at the Louisville Marriott East, and the invitation-only event will also include Miguel and Jill Scott, Louisville Business First reports performance to benefit Westside School, a private school for adventurous young people.
If you didn't receive an exclusive invite (you didn't, didn't you?), you can always rock your big hat, check out photos of the festivities online, and throw your own derby party, right?
