From Bruno Mars to Chris Tucker, celebrities wow at Trifecta Gala on Kentucky Derby eve

It may have been a “swan song” for the Trifecta Gala on Kentucky Derby Eve, but the annual event appeared to go out with a bang Friday night.

After more than 20 years, the Kentucky Derby Eve charity gala welcomed its last room full of partying locals and celebrity VIPs.

“It is a bittersweet moment,” said party co-host Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, whose father, retired NBA guard and entrepreneur Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, was part of the group that first hosted the celebrity Derby bash — then called “The Derby Grand Gala “— in 2002.

“Tonight is a culmination of so many thoughts and visions,” she said. “It’s finally here. We’ve been planning, we feel, for this moment since 2002 to really celebrate.”

Bruno Mars headlined the party, taking to the stage just before 11 p.m. with a string of hits.

Mars’ vocals blasted out of the tent, bringing teens on motorized scooters and passersby to a halt to hear the 15-time Grammy Award winner belt.

After a three-year hiatus, the party returned this year, for a final time, with the theme “The Night of Roses.”

Held in various locations under a handful of different names over the last two decades, the gala took to the waterfront this year.

Temporary tents reaching more than 60 feet tall were erected just for the party in a parking lot west of Louisville Slugger Field.

Hanging installations in the large main tent included an abstract take on the Churchill Downs twin spires, floral chandeliers, and a horse sculpture.

This year’s charity partner was Big Brothers Big Sister Kentuckaina. Past funding recipients include The V Foundation, West End School, Dare to Care, and The University of Louisville Autism Center.

Television and radio host Kenny Burns served as the party’s master of ceremonies and Chris Tucker was emcee for the night, a delight for Kentucky Derby regular and television personality Star Jones who said she “wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

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“And quit saying it’s the last one,” Jones said with a wink. “I’m trying to talk Eden into a couple more.”

Three-time Super Bowl champion Emmitt Smith made his return to Louisville for his second Kentucky Derby and said he was ready to enjoy himself at the Trifecta Gala.

“Tonight I’m looking forward to enjoying what opportunity has behind this door,” he said. “I’m looking forward to Bruno Mars performing and doing his thing.”

First-time attendee Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Sutton Stracke took to the red carpet ― which was in fact a floral pattern green carpet ― in tennis shoes after a long day at Churchill Downs.

“Even in the rain, it’s very pretty. It’s very ethereal,” she said. “I’m sort of on cloud nine right now.”

Other guests to walk the carpet included University of Louisville alumna and WNBA player Angel McCoughtry and former WNBA player Lisa Leslie, among others.

Just a few months off their Super Bowl win, Kansas City Chiefs players Isiah “Pop” Pacheco, Creed Humphrey and Mike Caliendo walked the red carpet together.  

Asked if he had a Derby horse pick, Pacheco cracked a grin.

“Horse 10, let’s do it,” said the running back, who wears the jersey number 10.

Bridgeman Skelnar said she was proud of the gala’s track record of “bringing the Derby experience to all, with a little bit more color.”

Reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo.