Popular Derby Eve galas, including Barnstable Brown, canceled due to pandemic

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Ahead of a Kentucky Derby season unlike any other, three of the largest and most anticipated Derby Eve galas have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Organizers of the Barnstable Brown Gala, the Trifecta Gala and the Unbridled Eve gala all announced Friday that they would be canceling their respective events as the country continues to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. 

"It is impossible to have a huge gala of our standards in this global pandemic," said Tricia Barnstable Brown, who for the past 30 years has hosted the annual Derby Eve gala with her twin sister, Priscilla Barnstable. "Our foremost goal is raising funds for the health and well being of our community."

Over the past 12 years, the Barnstable Brown Gala has raised more than $16 million for diabetes research at the University of Kentucky. Tricia Barnstable Brown said she hopes to break their fundraising records in 2021. 

The Trifecta Gala also announced Friday that this year's gala, slated for Derby Eve at the Omni Louisville Hotel, has been canceled. 

"This is not the future that any of us hoped to confront," organizers said in a Facebook post. "... We look forward to giving back and celebrating the Kentucky Derby season in person in 2021."

The Trifecta Gala is hosted by businessman Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman, a retired NBA guard and U of L basketball player. His children Justin, Ryan and Eden help run the exclusive event, which was scheduled for the grand ballroom of the Galt House Hotel. 

On the Unbridled Eve gala's website, organizers said the decision to cancel, "was made in part since there is no clear road map to holding a socially distanced gala that guarantees the health and welfare of attendees."

"Stay tuned for more developments for a 2021 online auction and possible virtual event," organizers added on the website. "We look forward to seeing you in person at unbridled eve 2021!"

Postponed to Sept. 5 amid growing COVID-19 concerns in mid-March, Kentucky Derby 146 will be held in front of a limited number of spectators, Churchill Downs officials announced Thursday. Racetrack President Kevin Flanery declined to say how many spectators would be allowed at the track for the event, which usually draws about 150,000 on the first Saturday in May. 

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