Gala on Derby Eve Special Guest!

Country music’s Walker Montgomery will be the special guest and live performer at this year’s Gala on Derby Eve.

The Gala on Derby Eve, Madison County’s longest-running Derby party, has announced that this year’s event will feature a special guest.

Walker Montgomery, a rising star in country music, will attend the 2019 Gala in Richmond on May 3, 2019. The 16-year event raises funds for the non-profit Hospice Care Plus.

“We are overjoyed that Mr. Montgomery is joining us for the event,” says Chasity Coleman, director of development at Hospice Care Plus.

Montgomery has country music superstardom in his genes. He is the son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery.  His first official production, the extended-play release Simple Town, hit the airwaves in October to strong acclaim, with over 2.1 million streams on Spotify for its title track. The Nicholasville native, now living in Nashville, has been called a “second-generation star in the making” by The Country Note.

Reservations are already open for the event and can be secured by visiting our secure reservation site or by calling 859-986-1500.  Email requests are possible through hospice@hospicecp.org.  A Gala on Derby Eve event site is accessible through the Hospice Care Plus Facebook pagedazzle

Those interested in the event are encouraged to follow the Facebook event page, where more announcements are scheduled in the coming weeks.

“The committee of Madison Countians planning this year’s event have major surprises in store, and we’ll be announcing them in the next week or two,” says Chasity. “Securing Walker Montgomery was one of these surprises, and more are coming.”

The Gala on Derby Eve began as the Spring Thing event in 2003 and was created to raise funds to help Hospice Care Plus build the Compassionate Care Center. In later years, it became known as the Run for the Roses Derby Eve Benefit and, more recently, the Gala on Derby Eve. It now raises funds for all Hospice Care Plus programs.

Reservations are $100 per person and include:

  • Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails (the Mint Julep, naturally)
  • Full dinner with dessert (it wouldn’t be a Derby part without the iconic Derby Pie)
  • Live performance featuring country music sensation Walker Montgomery
  • Dance floor
  • Open bar
  • Access to live and silent auctions typically featuring items ranging in value from UK collectibles to overnight trips
  • Party perks such as the always popular photo booth and party favors

Every dollar raised is donated back to our organization by the committee of local organizers. These funds make possible our care for those with  no insurance or ability to pay, we well as programs we offer the community at no cost, such as palliative care, grief support, and pet therapy.

Posted in ,
Our Mission:

Hospice Care Plus empowers those we serve to enjoy the highest quality of life, respecting their values, beliefs, needs, and goals through specialized care, education, resources, and grief support.

Our Service Area:

Our Home Hospice and Home Palliative Care programs serve you, wherever you call home, in the Kentucky counties of Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle.

Our inpatient care facility, the Compassionate Care Center, and administrative offices are located in Richmond, Kentucky.

Recent News:

New Volunteer Training Saturday May 17

Hospice Care Plus is hosting an in-person training for new volunteers on Saturday, May 17, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM,...

Rockin’ Derby Eve Benefit Friday May 2

Reservations are now open for the Derby Eve Benefit Party: Rockin' Derby Eve! This adult only event is the longest...

Gift A Day Of Care in 2025

Every Day Is a Gift at Hospice Care Plus. We have spent 43 years fulfilling our mission of providing compassionate...

Journaling Through Grief Series Hosted in Irvine

Hospice Care Plus is offering a new grief support series called Journaling Through Grief, starting Aug. 7 and ending Oct....

News & Events

Poinsettia Sale Web Image (2)

Poinsettia Sale!

Order beautiful poinsettias today and have them in plenty of time for the holidays with the Poinsettia Benefit Sale! Order now through November 30. Pay by card by phone or with cash, check, or card in person at our locations (see below). Pick Up the week of December 4 at one of these locations: Berea: Hospice…

Copy of Evening of Music Flyers

Nov. 10 Evening of Music

An Evening of Music is coming to Beattyville on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. at Beattyville Christian Church. Organizer Lynda Congleton, who leads the group that plans the Evening of Music, says over a dozen live performances are planned, including a veterans’ tribute. Each year, the Evening of Music is celebrated for its impressive…

"A Decade of Compassion" is October 13.  Reserve your tickets or choose a sponsorship level by contacting us today!

Celebrating the Center’s 10th Year

2018 marks the 10th anniversary of the Hospice Care Plus Compassionate Care Center, and we’re celebrating with a special event in October. “A Decade of Compassion: Celebrating 10 Years of the Compassion Care Center” will take place Saturday, October 13, on the Center’s grounds in Richmond. It begins at 5: 30 p.m., and the public…

Howard Thompson volunteers once or twice a month to help maintain the grounds at Hospice Care Plus. Hospice is training a new group of volunteers on Sept. 29, and especially encourages men and veterans to attend.

Hospice Seeks Men, Vets to Volunteer

A new hospice volunteer training is coming up September 29, and Hospice Care Plus is especially encouraging men and veterans to attend. The training is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Pre-registration is required. To register, contact Stefanie Manes, volunteer coordinator, at 859-626-9292 or hospice@hospicecp.org.…