Louisville Ky kicks off its first Kentucky Derby Festival event this week

FESTIVAL UNVEILED FEATURES ROSE JULEP CONTEST AND KENTUCKY CUISINE

March 1, 2016, Louisville, KY. The Kentucky Derby Festival is counting down to spring. Their first official event of 2016 – Festival Unveiled – is tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, at Mellwood Arts Center.  The event kicks off at 5 p.m.  Tickets are $30 in advance by calling (502) 584-FEST or $35 at the door.  Citizens Union Bank and Four Roses Bourbon are the Presenting Sponsors of this pre-Festival party.
“Festival Unveiled” will showcase several elements of the upcoming Festival.  In addition to rolling out the 2016 Official Poster and Merchandise line for the first time, guests will also receive the 2016 Official Program with complete details of the upcoming Festival.
kdf derby festival logo
In conjunction with the event, Four Roses Bourbon will hold the 13th Annual Rose Julep Recipe Contest.  The competition challenges Louisville-area mixologists to showcase their skills in front of a panel of local celebrity and beverage industry judges evaluating each Julep based on taste, presentation and creativity.  Event attendees will also have a chance to sample the eight Rose Julep finalist recipes and vote for the “People’s Choice” Rose Julep.
Kentucky cuisine with a twist will be provided by Ladyfingers Catering, including a Churrasco Bourbon Basted Meats/Carving Station. Kentucky Proud products will also be featured with Smoked Pork BBQ Sliders on KY Proud Butter Buns, petite KY hot browns, Kentucky corn pudding and Bourbon Glazed Pork Belly Deviled Eggs.  There is a special dessert area with Kern’s Kitchen Derby-Pie® and wine from Old 502 Winery.
 
While enjoying the evening, guests have an opportunity to bid on a silent auction of framed posters.  The 2016 Poster Artist – Kathy Sullivan – will be on hand to sign copies of her image.
For more information call the Derby Festival Office at (502) 584-FEST.  All guests receive a complimentary goodie bag.  Citizens Union Bank and Four Roses Bourbon are Presenting Sponsors of the event.  Contributing Sponsors are Ladyfingers Catering.  Media Sponsors are LEO Weekly and Q103.1.
The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two- week period and has a local economic impact of more than $127 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.