Kirby Adams
Grammy Award-winning musicians, professional sports stars, Kentucky Derby jockeys, and celebrities from television, film, business, and the arts make up the 2024 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala guest list. For over a decade, the charity gala has drawn guests from Louisville and across the country to celebrate the historic Kentucky Derby on the eve of the world-famous horse race.
Tonya York and Tammy York Day, co-founders of the Unbridled Charitable Foundation, Inc., are hosting the elegant event for the 11th year. The sisters are excited to announce they have landed 2024 Grammy Award nominee Rauw Alejandro, four-time Grammy winner Treach of Naughty by Nature, Skip Martin, MAJOR, John Elefante, pro basketball player and Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie, Miss America 2024 Madison Marsh, Terron Armstead of the Miami Dolphins and former NFL wide receiver Mario Urrutia plus actors John Schneider, Dean Norris, comedian Michael Colyar, numerous Kentucky Derby jockeys, including Triple Crown winner Jean Cruguet and more.
Country music superstar Randy Travis had such a great time at the 2023 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala that he plans to return this year and will celebrate his birthday Derby weekend.
“The horses, the folks, the festivities, the elegance, and the special moments provided by the Unbridled Event, make Derby an unforgettable experience,” Travis said. “To get to spend my birthday, on the 4th, at the Kentucky Derby is a great honor, and sure makes for a great birthday party. Thank you to the city of Louisville, the state of Kentucky, and the Yorks and their Unbridled team for hosting us!”
Also returning to Louisville for the 2024 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala are Academy Award Winner Nick Vallelonga, Warren Moon, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, Bob Guiney, Kentucky natives Conrad Bachmann, The McFarlands, J.D. Shelburne and more.
As a special guest, Tonya York invited Louisville school bus driver Larry Farrish Jr. whose act of kindness earlier this year went viral. He noticed one of his riders, a young boy named Levi, crying because he didn’t have pajamas to wear for Pajama Day at his school. After Farrish Jr. finished his morning bus route, he went to a Family Dollar store, bought pajamas for Levi, and then headed to Levi’s school to make things right. Farrish Jr. will walk the red carpet on Friday night.
In addition to the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala’s celebrity red carpet and first-class entertainment, the party is known for surrounding guests with opulent decor, numerous specialty bars, and festive entertainment options.
“Unbridled is a unique experience unhindered by the limits of a typical Derby party,” said Tonya York. “Our guests can engage with music however they like. Vibe with national recording artists in the Grand Ballroom, dance to your own beat with a silent disco, or take to the microphone with Full Contact Karaoke.”
The black-tie optional gala features 14 specialty bars including Angel’s Envy, Copper and Kings, Campari America, Castle & Key, Monkey Shoulder Whisky, Milagro Tequila, Hendrick’s Gin, Penelope Bourbon, Yellowstone Bourbon, Off Hours, Handmade Vodka, Peerless, Whiskey Thief, Old Limestone and a spiritless, or mocktail option. The gala will also offer 150 unique auction items and 150 bourbons in a Bourbon Pull.
If all this sounds like the perfect way to celebrate the 150th Kentucky Derby, individual and table tickets are available at unbridledeve.com.
Here is everything to know about the 2024 Unbridled Derby Eve Gala and its celebrity guest list:
Actors and celebrities at 2024 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala
- John Schneider: “The Dukes of Hazzard;” The Masked Singer
- Dean Norris: “Breaking Bad”
- Madison Marsh: Miss America 2024; Active-duty U.S. Air Force
- Hanley House: Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2024
- Bob Guiney: “The Bachelor”
- Aron Haddad: Actor/Pro Wrestler
- Conrad Bachmann: Actor, Founder of the Louisville Film Arts Institute
- Nick Vallelonga: Academy Award and Golden Globe winner for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture for “Green Book”
- Michael Colyar: American Comedian and Actor
- Madalyne Kinnett: Miss Kentucky USA 2023
- MeShyia Bradshaw: Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2023
- Mackenzie Shutt: Miss Ohio USA 2023
- Heather French Henry: Former Miss America
- Gia Combs: Miss Cosmos Kentucky USA 2023
- Edward Lee: Celebrity chef who runs 620 Magnolia, Nami, and Neighbors Noodles in Louisville
- Rob Angel: Founder of Pictionary; Author
- 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival Royal Court
- The McFarlands: Social media entertainers from Louisville
- Dr. Ajmal Zemmar: Physician-scientist specializing in epilepsy and functional neurosurgery at the University of Louisville. Featured in the documentary “After Death”
- Chris Blandford: Kroger Bourbon Expert
- Shannon Burton: Former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Finalist; Victoria’s Secret social media model influencer
- Larry Farrish, Jr.: Jefferson County Public School bus driver
- Ethan the Dog: Compassion ambassador
Professional athletes, jockeys at 2024 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala
- Lisa Leslie: Pro basketball player, Olympic gold medalist
- Terron Armstead: Offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins
- Bonnie-Jill Laflin: Female NBA Scout and reporter
- Jean Cruguet: Former Triple Crown Winner on Seattle Slew
- Warren Moon: NFL Hall of Famer
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Former professional basketball player
- Mario Urrutia: Former NFL wide receiver
- Larry Demeritte: First Black trainer to qualify for the Kentucky Derby
- Akoy Agau: Former University of Louisville basketball player
- Valerie Combs: Pioneering UofL women’s basketball player
- Michael Bush: U of L Alumni, Former NFL running back
- Geneo Riley: Former NFL tight end; President of NFLPA Retired Players
- Bilal Powell: Former NFL running back
- Numerous jockeys, many with Kentucky Derby mounts
Musicians and performers at 2024 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala
- Rauw Alejandro: 2024 Grammy Award Nominee, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter
- Randy Travis: Grammy-winning country music artist
- Treach of Naughty by Nature: 4x Grammy Award-winning lead rapper of Naughty by Nature
- Skip Martin: Grammy Winner, Kool & The Gang + Dazz Band
- MAJOR.: 2018 Grammy Award nominee, American soul, R&B singer-songwriter
- Mike Mills: co-founder, co-lead singer R.E.M.
- Marc Martel: Musician/vocalist who performed some of the Freddie Mercury vocals in the film “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- John Elefante: Grammy-winning former lead singer of Kansas
- Johnny Edwards: Second lead singer of the band Foreigner
- J.D. Shelburne: Country music artist
- The Crashers: Louisville based party band
- DJ 2nd Nature: Atlanta DJ who incorporates mashups of pop culture media
- Youth Choir from Holy Spirit School: Directed by Susan Johnston and Lacy Williams
When and where is the 2024 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala?
On Derby Eve, this year May 3, the gala will be back at its usual location, The Galt House Hotel Grand Ballroom, 140 N. Fourth St. The party begins with a red carpet at 7 p.m., followed by an open bar, dinner, and dancing until 1:30 a.m. Dance party tickets, which include an open bar, dancing, and late-night snacks begin at 10 p.m.
Can I purchase a ticket or a table for The Unbridled Eve Derby Gala?
Yes. There are several options for tickets to The Unbridled Eve Derby Gala. To purchase tickets and find more information, visit unbridledeve.com:
- Individual Gala/Dinner Ticket: $1,200 includes gourmet dinner, complimentary valet parking, numerous open bars, and all gala festivities
- Individual VIP Gala/Dinner Ticket: $1,600 includes gourmet dinner, wine, and champagne at your table, a gift for each guest, complimentary valet parking, numerous open bars, and all gala festivities.
- Individual “Dance Party” Ticket: $500 includes access to the Gala after 10 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, dancing, open bars, and late-night snacks. Valet parking pass included.
- Tables of 10: range in price from $12,000 to $18,500
Who are some celebrities and musicians who previously attended the gala?
Louisville rapper Jack Harlow has attended The Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, so has actor Beau Bridges, Kate Pierson of the B-52s, Jennifer Robertson (“Schitt’s Creek“), football great Warren Moon, Melissa Joan Hart (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Melissa & Joey“), D.B. Woodside (“The Night Agent,” “Lucifer“) and many others.
Does The Unbridled Eve Derby Gala support any charities?
Several charities benefit from proceeds from the gala selected by the Unbridled Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. The primary beneficiary for 2024 is Blessings in a Backpack, whose mission is to mobilize communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Since 2012, the money donated by Unbridled Eve has provided 76,000 hunger-free weekends for kids across the nation.
Which sponsors make The Unbridled Eve Derby Gala possible?
The night is made possible by sponsors and partners including Kathy and Wayne Richards, Churchill Downs, The Galt House Hotel, The Al J. Schneider Company, The Home Depot Foundation, The Nora Roberts Foundation, Angel’s Envy, Harley-Davidson of Louisville, BMW Motorcycles of Louisville, Prestige AV & Creative Services, Dillard’s, Barry Wooley Designs, Cambium Marketing, Distilled Living, dRae Media & Marketing, El Toro IP Targeting, East End Living, Greater Louisville Inc., Jockey’s Guild, Kentucky Derby Official Event, Mac in a Snap, Millennium Events, Prospect Living, Quint Events, Ronaldo Jewelry, United Direct Solutions and York Management, Inc.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
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