2/19/2015 – FIRST DERBY FESTIVAL EVENT OF 2015 SET FOR NEXT WEEK

February 19, 2015, Louisville, KY. The Kentucky Derby Festival may have a cure for your cabin fever. Their first official event of 2015 – Festival Unveiled – is set for next Thursday, Feb. 26, at The Ice House in Downtown Louisville.  The event kicks off at 5 p.m.  Tickets are $30 and are still available online at www.kdf.org or by calling (502) 584-FEST. 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 2015 Official Poster and Merchandise line for the first time, guests will also receive the 2015 Official Program with complete details of the upcoming Festival.

Four Roses Bourbon, will also hold the 12th Annual Rose Julep Recipe Contest in conjunction with Festival Unveiled.  The Rose Julep Contest 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 seven Rose Julep finalist recipes and vote for the “People’s Choice” Rose Julep.

While enjoying the evening, guests also have an opportunity to bid on a silent auction of framed posters.  The 2015 Poster Artist – Karen Boone – will be on hand to sign copies of her image.

The event begins at 5 p.m., featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Crushed Ice Events, as well as a special dessert area with Cellar Door Chocolates, Kern’s Kitchen Derby-Pie® and wine from Old 502 Winery.

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 Clark & Riggs Printing, Crushed Ice Events and Kentucky’s Soft Drink Ale-8-One.  Media Sponsors are LEO Weekly and New Country Q103.1.

Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 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.

January 11 - April 20
March 22 - March 24
March 24 - March 24
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April 6 - April 6