The Kentucky Derby: Celebrities love the Run for the Roses too

By Andrea Reiher

April 30, 2012 1:45 PM ET

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It's almost time for the 138th annual Kentucky Derby, the horse race that earns millions of viewers and causes thousands to flock to Louisville, KY to join in on the fun. In the last ten years, celebrities have really gotten in on the action - case in point, in the above photo, country star Miranda Lambert took her bachelorette party to the 2011 Derby.

In honor of the horse race coming up on Saturday, May 5 2012, let's take a look back at the celebs who have graced the grand stand. The Getty archives only take us back to about 2002, but in that time we can say one thing for sure - Kid Rock loves him some Derby action, because he is always there.

So let's take a look at which celebs were glammed-up and which were pure nightmare fuel.

In 2011, you have Kate Gosselin, Maria Menounos, Salt 'n Pepa, Erin Andrews and Laura Bell Bundy. Yes, that's right. Salt 'n Pepa. Makes ya wanna shoop.

2010 saw Marisa Miller turn out, along with Ashley Simpson and Pete Wentz, plus Johnny Weir in ..... that outfit.

2008 welcomed Hugh Hefner, a couple of his girls next door and Heidi Montag, with most of her original face. Ahh, the good ol' days.

In 2007, Melissa Joan Hart went flowery, Joey Fatone brought "Dancing With the Star" partner Kym Johnson and (of course) Kid Rock, with cigar and drink in hand.

While Stacey Keibler and Jaime Pressley sure look smart, the highlights of 2006 are most definitely Tommy Lee and Ivana Trump. Yikes.

2005 is like a time warp - Tori Spelling, pre-babies; Josh Groban and January Jones (yes! Right?!) and Victoria Gotti, who is kind of terrifying (and the hat doesn't help).

In 2004, it was rather slim pickings for celebs (though Kid Rock was there, of course). We went with La Toya Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith. Can't go wrong with those two.

And in 2002, we have Jessica Simpson singing along with "My Old Kentucky Home" and an impossibly young-looking Brad Paisley and then-girlfriend, now-wife, Kimberly Williams.