See which celebrities will come to the Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala in 2024

Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal

It's a stunner!

Patricia Barnstable Brown has released a spectacular celebrity guest list for her world-famous annual gala held the night before the Kentucky Derby in Louisville.

This year's list includes Super Bowl champions, Grammy Award-winning artists, celebrities from hit shows like "Yellowstone" and "Abbott Elementary," an acclaimed alum from Saturday Night Live — and we're just getting started.

"We have a celebrity favorite for everyone," Barnstable Brown told The Courier Journal.

Celebrating its 35th anniversary on the eve of the 150th Kentucky Derby, the Barnstable Brown Gala is an elegant house party that Conde Nast dubbed "One of the 10 Best Parties in the World."

Attending this year's red carpet affair is hunky Cole Hauser from the popular TV show "Yellowstone," comedian Tracy Morgan, rock superstar Kid Rock and Kentucky natives Jack Harlow and Wynonna Judd. Judd will sing the national anthem on Saturday at the 150th Kentucky Derby.

Superbowl Champion Aaron Rodgers and his posse of football pals including Randall Cobb and Davante Adams will swap out their helmets and shoulder pads for designer suits and dancing shoes.

Thanks to the return of Kid Rock, the backyard dance party will be on fire this year with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Smokey Robinson, rapper Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels, Mickey Guyton, Doug E. Fresh, Bobby Brown, Joey Fatone, Clay Walker, Lee Brice, Josh Groban and more music magic in the house.

Smokey Robinson performs at the Barnstable Brown Party. May 05, 2023
Smokey Robinson performs at the Barnstable Brown Party. May 05, 2023

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Besides the fact that the party is held in Barnstable Brown's private Kentucky home only a few miles from Churchill Downs Racetrack where the Kentucky Derby is run, the party is unique for its eclectic mix of celebrity star power and impromptu musical performances.

"One of our trademarks has become these great performances," said Chris Barnstable Brown, son of Patricia Barnstable Brown. "You look up on stage and think 'I can't believe who I am seeing up there singing together' because you are witnessing something totally organic that will probably never happen again."

"Abbott Elementary" star Sheryl Lee Ralph could be one of Barnstable Brown's celebrity guests who could surprise the crowd with a turn on stage. Ralph doesn't only play the role of veteran elementary school teacher Barbara Howard on "Abbott Elementary," she is an accomplished stage performer who starred in the musical "Dreamgirls."

March 30, 2024 : Sheryl Lee Ralph attends the 10th Annual Truth Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.
March 30, 2024 : Sheryl Lee Ralph attends the 10th Annual Truth Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

Beyonce won't be at the party but her mom, Tina Knowles plans to attend. So does Holly Robinson Peete. Add to this impressive list a few of Barnstable Brown's return guests which include Harlan, Kentucky native and winner of Season Nine of "The Voice," Jordan Smith, Pepa of Salt N' Pepa fame, Travis Tritt, Billy Gilman, Stephen Amell, Nappy Roots, Eddie Montgomery, and Larry and Dannielynn Birkhead.

As it has done since its inception in 1989, the Barnstable Brown party will raise funds for diabetes research and support at the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center at the University of Kentucky. Over the past 35 years, the star-studded event has raised nearly $20 million.

The Barnstable-Brown Derby Eve Gala welcomes approximately 1,200 guests to its invitation-only event. Crowds of fans line the street outside the mansion at 1700 Spring Drive as stars arrive to walk the red carpet starting at dusk, a tradition that has shined a spotlight on Louisville and the Kentucky Derby for more than three decades.

NSYNC's Joey Fatone performs at the Barnstable Brown Party. May 05, 2023
NSYNC's Joey Fatone performs at the Barnstable Brown Party. May 05, 2023

Here are the celebrities attending the 2024 Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala:

2024 Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala Celebrity List

  • Cole Hauser

  • Kid Rock

  • Aaron Rodgers

  • Tracy Morgan

  • Josh Groban

  • Sheryl Lee Ralph

  • Smokey Robinson

  • Jack Harlow

  • Wynonna Judd

  • Tina Knowles

  • Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels

  • Clay Walker

  • Boyz II Men

  • Joey Fatone

  • Bobby Brown

  • Lee Brice

  • Pepa (Salt N’ Pepa)

  • Mickey Guyton

  • Travis Tritt

  • Eddie Montgomery

  • Doug E. Fresh

  • Billy Gilman

  • Stephen Amell

  • Randall Cobb

  • Davante Adams

  • Larry and Dannielynn Birkhead

  • Holly Robinson Peete

  • Jordan Smith

  • Nappy Roots

  • Martha MacCallum

  • Natalie McQueen

  • Jimmy Graham

  • A.J. Hawk

  • Matt Flynn

  • David Bakhtiari

  • Bryan Bulaga

  • Allen Lazard

  • Corey Linsley

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala 2024 brings Cole Hauser, Aaron Rodgers

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