Fancy hats, mint juleps and plenty of A-list celebrities. The Kentucky Derby never fails to deliver an extravagant spectacle.
One of the most prestigious events on the sports calendar is set for this weekend, as the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby will take place Saturday afternoon. Churchill Downs is the site of the most exciting two minutes in sports, and while plenty of the focus will be on the horses and jockeys, the lead-up to the race is about everything else.
The most popular names in the sporting world, entertainment industry and music sphere are set to flock to Kentucky for the Derby. It's not just the race that's the premier event either — the parties in the days leading up to the weekend are arguably the key components of the Kentucky Derby for celebrity guests.
Louisville native Patricia Barnstable Brown has hosted an annual party since 1989 at her mansion, located just a few miles down from Churchill Downs. The gala is a charitable event, as the Barnstable Brown Gala raises money for diabetes research and support for the University of Kentucky's Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center.
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With big money comes big names. Here is a look at the confirmed attendees for the 2024 Kentucky Derby:
Who is attending the Kentucky Derby?
There are a plethora of high-profile VIPs set to wander around Churchill Downs this weekend.
For some, the Kentucky Derby is an annual event. Sports figures such as Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers have made the race a recurring tradition in recent years. In addition, there is a large group of his ex-Packers teammates who will be attending, such as Davante Adams, David Bahktiari and Randall Cobb.
In the music sphere, the most notable names consist of Kid Rock, Jack Harlow, Smokey Robinson and Josh Groban.
Here's the latest list of confirmed guests, according to the Louisville Courier Journal:
- Kid Rock, singer
- Aaron Rodgers, Jets quarterback
- Tracy Morgan, actor/comedian
- Josh Groban, singer
- Sheryl Lee Ralph, actress/singer
- Smokey Robinson, singer
- Jack Harlow, rapper
- Wynonna Judd, singer
- Tina Knowles, businesswoman
- Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels, rapper
- Clay Walker, singer
- Boyz II Men, vocal group
- Joey Fatone, singer
- Bobby Brown, singer
- Lee Brice, singer
- Pepa (Salt N’ Pepa), rapper
- Mickey Guyton, singer
- Travis Tritt, singer
- Eddie Montgomery, singer
- Doug E. Fresh, rapper
- Billy Gilman, singer
- Stephen Amell, actor
- Randall Cobb, NFL wide receiver
- Davante Adams, Raiders wide receiver
- Larry and Dannielynn Birkhead, actor
- Holly Robinson Peete, actress
- Jordan Smith, singer
- Nappy Roots, rap group
- Martha MacCallum, journalist
- Natalie McQueen, actress
- Jimmy Graham, NFL tight end
- A.J. Hawk, former NFL linebacker
- Matt Flynn, former NFL quarterback
- David Bakhtiari, NFL offensive tackle
- Bryan Bulaga, former NFL offensive tackle
- Allen Lazard, Jets wide receiver
- Corey Linsley, Chargers center
