COMMEMORATIVE BOTTLE TO BE RELEASED NEXT MONTH
March 17, 2023. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival kicked off its first event of the spring season – Festival Unveiled Presented by Four Roses Bourbon – last night at the Mellwood Art Center. The event offered a preview of 2023 Festival imagery, including the Official Poster and Merchandise Line.
2023 Poster Artist, Liesl Long Chaintreuil, was on hand at the event to sign copies of her image. The 2023 Kentucky Derby Festival Official Poster, “Spirit of Kentucky,” showcases images synonymous with the spring celebration and its favored traditions, including hot-air balloons and fireworks, and features a sky illustrated with layers of the Pegasus. Festival Fans can choose from four poster options, including the Official Poster ($30) and the Limited-Edition of 500 signed and numbered posters ($60). New this Year: An 8×10 version of the poster ($20) and a post card size ($5) are also available. They are available online at KDF.org and can also be found at local frame shops.
The Festival’s Official Merchandise Line features more than 100 products, including t-shirts, caps and mugs, and is produced by the Derby Festival’s apparel partner, 12/13 Apparel by Synergism. Official Derby Festival merchandise is now available online at KDF.org, as well as Kroger and Taste of Kentucky locations.
In conjunction with the event, Four Roses held its annual Four Roses Rose Julep Cocktail Competition, which challenged mixologists from Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky to showcase their skills in front of guests and share their inventive twists on the season’s signature cocktail – The Mint Julep. Attendees had 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. The winner was Louisvillian Colleen McCarthy of Martini Italian Bistro.
Four Roses Bourbon is releasing a commemorative Derby Festival Poster Special Selection Single Barrel Bourbon featuring the image of the 2023 Derby Festival Official Poster on Tuesday, April 25 at Kroger Wine & Spirits, 12501 Shelbyville Road in Middletown. Fans can purchase the bottle and have it signed by Master Distiller, Brent Elliott, as well as the Poster Artist, Liesl Long Chaintreuil. The bottle release and signing will be from 5-8 p.m.
There was also a framing competition featuring nearly 20 local frame shops, which showcased unique ways to frame this year’s poster. The Judges’ Choice Award went to Claire Lawrence with Bluegrass Frames (“Three-Dimensional Scherenschnitte” featuring cut-outs of hot-air balloons). The winner of the People’s Choice Award was Kyle Lawrence with Bluegrass Frames (“A Simple Silhouette” featuring a horse silhouette with LED lighting). The framed pieces of the 2023 Official and Limited-Edition Posters and postcards were included in a silent auction for guests to bid on and take home.
Festival Unveiled featured cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary gift for guests. Four Roses Bourbon is the Presenting Sponsor of Festival Unveiled. Contributing Sponsor: Ladyfingers Catering. Media Sponsor: LEO Weekly.
