'This is such a fun party.' Celebrities stun on red carpet at 35th Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala

When Super Bowl Champion Aaron Rodgers, comedian Tracy Morgan, country music icon Wynonna Judd, and Kid Rock are in the house, you know it's going to be a party.

Add to that mix Sheryl Lee Ralph, Smokey Robison, and Tina Knowles and the red carpet entrance at the Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala — "one of the 10 best parties in the world," according to Conde Nast — was on fire.

"We are so grateful to be back at Patricia Barnstable Brown's home for this truly incredible party and the races at Churchill Downs," Robinson told the Courier Journal.

Although meteorologists were calling Friday's weather "Soaks" rather than Kentucky "Oaks," a little rain couldn't dampen the excitement of the 300-plus person crowd anxiously waiting outside Patricia Barnstable Brown's home in the Highlands as a steady flow of glitterati pulled up to the front gates, including Josh Groban, Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels, Clay Walker, Boyz II Men, Joey Fatone, Lee Brice, Mickey Guyton, Travis Tritt, Doug E. Fresh, Billy Gilman, Stephen Amell, former Boston Red Sox pitcher Pat Light, Holly Robinson Peete and more.

"We have been fortunate to be guests of the Barnstable Brown party for more than 20 years," said country music star Tritt. "To be here for the 150th Kentucky Derby is incredibly special and we are so happy to be a part."

Making the visit extra special this year, Tritt's 26-year-old daughter, Tyler Reese Tritt, joined her parents and explained she planned to take a turn on stage as part of the evening's entertainment.

"I have been begging my parents to bring me for years and finally I am here and not only as a guest but I get to perform," Tritt said ."I am a little nervous but really excited."

First held in 1989, this invite-only "house party" has become a must-attend event for those attending the Kentucky Derby and those lucky enough to get an invitation. As the Barnstable Brown family rolls out the red carpet for a 35th year, their "house party" has grown a lot and annually attracts an eclectic mix of award-winning musicians, entertainment celebrities, and professional athletes to the city of Louisville.

"This is such a fun party and we are always grateful to be invited back," said singer Billy Gilman.

Patricia Barnstable Brown's guest list scored a winning touchdown with Rodgers and his entourage, which included Davante Adams, A.J. Hawk, Matt Flynn, David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, Allen Lazard, Corey Linsley, and Jimmy Graham.

The group poured out of their vehicles to an eruption of cheers from the crowd waiting to star gaze at 1700 Spring Drive. On the red carpet, the professional football players posed for the media and then made their way into the house.

While it may feel like a night at the Oscars on the red carpet, the real fun happens inside the party when musical guests take the stage to delight the crowd.

"I am so honored to be here tonight and to have been asked by Churchill Downs to perform the national anthem for the 150th Kentucky Derby," gushed Wynonna Judd. "I feel so proud to be from Kentucky and to be able to stand in front of the crowd on Derby Day as everyone celebrates this historic race."

Dazzling in an off-the-shoulder cream and black gown, Sheryl Lee Ralph, who plays Barbara Howard on "Abbot Elementary," told the Courier Journal she is also proud to play a role in the presentation of the 150th Kentucky Derby.

"I just found out that as the 'Voice of the Derby,' we were just nominated for a Sports Emmy for the best tease for a sports event in the country," she said. "So you will hear my voice throughout the Kentucky Derby once again."

Of course, we had to ask Ralph to perform her Emmy Award-nominated voice-over and we think you will recognize her commanding performance.

"Every year there is one day that stands out among all others, the Kentucky Derby. Welcome to the Kentucky Derby," Ralph said and laughed. "Things like that you'll hear throughout the day."

Another familiar voice from Kentucky Derby coverage, former NBC Sports anchor Bob Costas arrived on the red carpet in a jewel-toned blue suit and tie and told us he didn't plan to work at all this weekend.

"I'm not doing anything, I am just here to watch the races and enjoy this party," Costas said. "I covered 17 or 18 Derbys for NBC and this is the first time I have ever been to Louisville and not been working so this is a very different experience."

Inside the party, Kentucky native Jordan Smith, who won Season 9 of NBC's "The Voice," got the party started and was soon followed on stage by Pepa of Salt N' Pepa fame, Daryl "DMC" McDaniels, Travis Tritt and daughter Tyler Reese Tritt, Lee Brice, and others.

We noticed a camera crew following Larry Birkhead and his daughter Dannielynn (Birkhead's daughter with the late Anna Nicole Smith) during the party. Birkhead was hush-hush about why the camera crew was in tow but said it's a project he's been working on for a while.

Roughly 1,200 guests enjoyed food, drink and dessert as they wandered through Barnstable Brown's private home and spent their evening on the backyard dance floor. The place got hopping when Doug E. Fresh took over — it was standing room only as the black-tie crowd bopped, swaying and let loose.

We wanted to know from a veteran of this party how they stay out until the early hours of the morning and make it to Churchill Downs before noon for the Kentucky Derby. Travis Tritt told us his family consumes a lot of "5 Hour Energy" drinks to keep moving.

Of course, talk of the historic horse race circulated throughout the evening. Funny man Tracy Morgan told us he plans to put money on either Secretariat or Seabiscuit but then became serious when talking about the charitable arm of the Barnstable Brown Gala.

Since 1989, Louisville native Patricia Barnstable Brown has hosted an annual party in her mansion a few miles from Churchill Downs racetrack. The Barnstable Brown Gala raises money for diabetes research and support for the University of Kentucky's Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center. In the past 35 years, the gala's raised nearly $20 million.

"I have Type 2 diabetes," Morgan told the Courier Journal. "So it's very personal to me and important to support the Barnstable Brown party."

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Before the party was overrun with celebrities Friday night, Patricia Barnstable Brown's granddaughter, Catherine, accompanied her father, Chris Barnstable Brown, onto the red carpet. Catherine explained she had recently been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and what that has been like for the entire family.

"Diabetes has always affected our family and now I have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes so it makes all of this very meaningful," said 10-year-old Catherine Barnstable Brown. "It's been overwhelming but we're pushing through."

Doug E. Fresh may have summed it up best as he entered the party on Friday night.

"What is better than supporting an incredibly important charity like diabetes research and having an incredible time at a party like this at the same time?" he said. "And then to top it off we get to go to the Kentucky Derby the next day. "

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 35th Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala brings memorable moments