March 14, 2018, Louisville, KY. With spring around the corner, the Kentucky Derby Festival is preparing for a Festival favorite. Their first official event of 2018 – Festival Unveiled – is this Thursday, March 15, at the Mellwood Arts Center. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. Citizens Union Bank and Four Roses are the Presenting Sponsors of this pre-Festival party.
“Festival Unveiled” will showcase several elements of the 2018 Festival. In addition to the 2018 Official Poster and Merchandise line, guests will also receive the Official Program with complete details of this year’s Festival. While enjoying the evening, guests have an opportunity to bid on a silent auction of framed posters. The 2018 Poster Artists– Jeaneen Barnhart and Doreen Barnhart DeHart– will also be on hand to sign copies of their image.
In conjunction with the event, Four Roses is holding the 15th Annual Rose Julep Cocktail 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-inspired favorite foods will be available at the event provided by Ladyfingers Catering. Food will include a Southern Caesar Salad; a Chicken-N-Waffle Bar complete with Jumbo Kernel Fired Chicken Tenders, Waffles, Syrup, and Saw Mill Gravy; and Country Green Beans. Desserts include Kern’s Kitchen Derby-Pie® and Golden Pecan Pie, along with 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 are Presenting Sponsors of the event. Ladyfingers Catering is a Contributing Sponsor. Media Sponsors are LEO Weekly and 106.9 PLAY.
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.
