Derby Festival releases celebrity guest list

The Derby Festival has several celebrity guests participating in this year’s events. Many will take part in both the Celebrity Day at the Downs event on Thursday, May 3, as well as the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade later that same day.

Guests scheduled to appear at Derby Festival Events include:

• Brittany Cartwright/Jax Taylor of Bravo TV’s “Vanderpump Rules”/Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky (Luncheon and Parade guest. Will also attend Barnstable Brown Gala.)
• Louisville City FC Team Members. (Select Players at Luncheon, Entire Team will attend Parade.)
• Blair Underwood – Actor and Emmy winner currently starring on Quantico (Luncheon guest only. Will also attend Barnstable Brown Gala.)
• Monte Durham – Say Yes To The Dress: Atlanta (Luncheon, Steamboat Race and Parade guest. Will also attend Barnstable Brown Gala.)
• Montel Williams – American television personality, radio talk show host, and actor. (Luncheon and Parade guest.)
• Robert Williamson, III – Celebrity Poker Player (Luncheon guest only.)
• Jason Smith of Food Network (Luncheon, Great Steamboat Race and Parade guest. Will also attend Barnstable Brown Gala.)
• JD Shelburne – Nashville Recording Artist (Luncheon and Great Steamboat Race guest.)
• Judah and the Lion – (Parade Guest Only)
• Miss Kentucky 2017 Molly Matney (Luncheon, Great Steamboat Race and Parade guest.)
• Miss America 2018 Cara Mund (Luncheon and Parade guest.)

Celebrity Day at the Downs will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the sixth floor at Churchill Downs on Thursday, May 3, featuring a traditional Kentucky luncheon and a day of racing on Millionaire’s Row. The event is sponsored by Kentuckiana Honda Dealers, with contributing sponsor Macy’s, and Media Sponsors The Voice-Tribune and 106.9 PLAY.

The Republic Bank Pegasus Parade steps off on Broadway at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 3.  The parade is sponsored by Republic Bank, with Official Hotel The Galt House and Contributing Sponsor KentuckyOne Health. Tickets for the parade are still available online at KDF.org. Ticket prices are $10 for bleacher seats and $12 for chair seating.