2012 VIP Kentucky Derby Eve Party, where shall we go…Unbridled Eve, The Julep, Barnstable Brown Party, or The Rose Ball?  While it is really 2012 Kentucky Oaks night, everyone is thinking Kentucky Derby.

These parties not only show everyone a great time, but the parties raise much needed funds for various charities.  We know that no one can say that they cannot find anything to do on Derby Eve.

Many Kentucky Derby Tours participants join in the fun.  Here are THE Derby Eve Parties:

Unbridled Eve

New on the scene is the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, a one-of-a-kind celebration benefiting the children’s charity, Blessings in a Backpack. Held at The Galt House Hotel.  This party will feature a red carpet celebrity walk, specialty drink bars, world-class silent and online auctions, lavish decorations, live entertainment from Alabama founder Randy Owen and his band along with a sumptuous dinner from Galt House Chef Brian Riddle.

Actor-rapper Ice-T and his flamboyant wife, Coco, NFL Hall of Famer Warren Moon,  actors Kate Flannery and Oscar Nunez of The Office, Dennis Haysbert, Quinton Aaron, Scott Grimes, reality TV personalities Bob Guiney of The Bachelor, Vicki Gunvalson of The Real Housewives of Orange County,  poker champions Josh Arieh and Robert Williamson III , singer Randy Owen of Alabama, author Nora Roberts, comedian Ron White, along with NFL players Michael Bush, Brandon Lloyd, Jason Campbell, Rock Cartwright, Thomas Hoard, Darren McFadden, Benjamin Watson and Kamerion Wimbley.

The proceeds are expected to supply more than 1,250 school kids with backpacks full of food every weekend for a school year from Blessings in a Backpack.  Proceeds also benefit The Les Turner ALS Foundation and to combat Prostate Cancer.

The Julep

Formerly known as the Julep Ball, this event is a unique evening with food, cocktails and superb entertainment. The Julep hosts local and national business leaders, horse industry professionals and celebrities from sports, music, cinema and television to help raise money for the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville.

The evening will feature a celebrity red carpet entrance, cocktail reception featuring Early Times Mint Julep and Brown-Forman products, dinner, dancing and silent auction. The scientists and patients at the forefront of cancer treatment and delivery will be honored and saluted for their efforts.

Held at the Galt House Hotel, The Julep sees more than 1,000 people from across the country attended this sold-out event each year.

This year, The Julep plans to bring the focus back to simple elegance. Adopting a “black tie optional” outlook, guests are welcome to come to the event straight from the track without having to change into a tuxedo or ball gown.

Proceeds from The Julep help the James Graham Brown Cancer Center continue its mission of finding answers to cancer. Since 2005 more than $1.5 million in net proceeds from the center’s Derby Eve event have gone directly to improve the lives of cancer.

The Barnstable Brown party

Over the years, 24 to be exact, this annual fund-raising party, hosted by twin sisters Patricia Barnstable Brown and Priscilla “Cyb” Barnstable, has raised millions of dollars for diabetes research and care.  Diabetes killed Patricia’s husband, Dr. David Brown, in 2003, and in 2008 the sisters and their mother founded the Barnstable Brown Diabetes & Obesity Center at the University of Kentucky.  Some of the money raised also goes toward diabetes research at the University of Louisville.  The private event is held at the Barnstable home in Louisville.

The sisters, cheerleaders at the University of Kentucky, became famous as the Doublemint Twins in ads for the Wrigley Company’s chewing gum in the 1970s. Patricia had been Miss Kentucky and the sisters also starred in the short-lived science-fiction television show “Quark.”

In addition to the up-close-and-personal encounters with actors, singers and other celebrities, you’ll also be entertained by dancing.  The released guest list includes singer Cyndi Lauper, who is the grand marshal of the Derby Festival’s Pegasus Parade, on May 3, Ashton Kucher, Late Show With David Letterman band leader Paul Shaffer, show host extraordinaire and former N’Sync member Joey Fatone, country superstars Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean , country group The Band Perry,  Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry and Wynonna Judd.

The Rose Ball

The Derby Eve Gala, now called The Rose Ball was originated and organized by Joyce King Jennings, who introduced the party into the Kentucky Derby scene in 1995. From year one, the Gala was a tremendous success — a posh event in an elegant setting, with fabulous food, lavish décor and spectacular, electrifying entertainment. The Derby Eve Gala has entertained corporate VIP’s and dignitaries from all over the world. It is the most impressive party for hosting Derby guests in elegance and style; and it is the perfect occasion for companies to entertain friends or clients, while linking their names with a first class, stellar event!

While other Derby-eve events are known for their throngs of star-studded celebrities, this party will be sure to please its devoted crowd with fabulous gourmet food, show-stopping entertainment, just plain fun and “kick up your heels” energy.

The event will be held at the Seelbach Hotel and proceeds from the Rose Ball benefit the American Lung Association.