FESTIVAL UNVEILED HIGHLIGHTS BOURBON COCKTAILS AND CUISINE
March 9, 2022, Louisville, KY. The Kentucky Derby Festival is kicking off its first event of the season next week with bourbon-inspired cuisine and cocktails paired with a preview of 2023 Festival imagery. Festival Unveiled Presented By Four Roses Bourbon is Thursday, March 16 from 6-9 p.m. at the Mellwood Art Center.
One of the highlights of Festival Unveiled is the public debut of the 2023 Official Poster. Guests will have the chance to meet Liesl Long Chaintreuil, the 2023 Official Poster Artist, and can purchase a poster and have it personalized by the Louisville native. Attendees can also bid on unique custom-framed posters created by local framers in more than a dozen one-of-a-kind styles during a silent auction. In addition, the 2023 Official Merchandise Line will be unveiled for the first time, featuring everything from colorful t-shirts and sweatshirts to glassware, mugs and more commemorative items.
In conjunction with the event, Four Roses will once again host the popular Four Roses Rose Julep Cocktail Competition, which challenges mixologists from Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky to showcase their skills in front of guests. Their inventive twists on the season’s signature cocktail – The Mint Julep – will be front and center. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample eight craft Rose Julep recipes all featuring Four Roses small batch product and vote for the “People’s Choice” Rose Julep.
Kentucky-themed cuisine by Ladyfingers Catering will also be in the spotlight at the event. The menu features an array of dishes with a Bluegrass-inspired twist, including Bourbon Smoked Paprika with Bourbon Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs, Colossal Shrimp Shots with Bourbon Remoulade, Petite Kentucky Hot Browns, Petite Bourbon and Coke Meatloaf with Henry Baines Caramelized Onions, Bourbon Smoked Pulled Pork BBQ Sliders, Cheddar and Country Ham Potato Tartans, Bourbon Brown Sugar Glazed Smoked Ham, Bourbon Brown Butter Basted Turkey, Benedictine Cocktail Rolls, Pimento Cheese Cocktail Rolls, Hot Brown Macaroni and Cheese and more. Dessert for the evening will be Derby-Pie ® from Kern’s Kitchen.
Tickets for Festival Unveiled are still available. General Admission tickets are $50 and include heavy appetizers, julep sampling, swag bag and the silent auction. VIP Experience tickets are $70 (limited availability) and include the complete event experience, plus early access at 5 p.m., an exclusive Four Roses Bourbon Mint Julep Making Experience, photo opportunities, souvenir glass, Official Poster Pin and a VIP gift. Tickets are available at KDF.org or call (502) 584-FEST. (21 and over only. Must present ID upon entry.) Tickets can also be purchased onsite.
Four Roses Bourbon is the Presenting Sponsor of Festival Unveiled. Contributing Sponsor: Ladyfingers Catering. Media Sponsor: LEO Weekly.
