03/03/20 – FIRST DERBY FESTIVAL EVENT OF 2020 THIS WEEK!

‘FESTIVAL UNVEILED’ FEATURES ROSE JULEP CONTEST AND KENTUCKY CUISINE

March 3, 2020, Louisville, KY. A Kentucky Derby Festival favorite returns this week to help usher in spring. Festival Unveiled is Thursday, March 5, at the Mellwood Art and Entertainment 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 2020 Festival, including the 2020 Official Poster and Merchandise line. At this event, guests will have the chance to meet the 2020 Official Poster artist and get a personalized poster. While enjoying the evening, guests have an opportunity to bid on a silent auction of framed posters.

In conjunction with the event, Four Roses is holding the Four Roses Rose Julep Cocktail Competition. The Rose Julep competition challenges mixologists from Louisville and surrounding areas 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 six 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 Cheddar Charcuterie with Kentucky Benedictine, Sharp Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Brie and Blue Cheese wedge served with grapes, pickles, carmelized nuts, apple chutney, hot honey, gourmet crackers, and sliced baguettes; Homemade Benedictine, Black Eye Pea Hummus, Ranch and Pimento Cheese with Garden Vegetable Dippers and Crackers; Smoky BBQ Cocktail Meatballs. Assorted appetizers will be served as well: Smoked Pork BBQ slider, Hot Brown appetizers, and Hashbrown Casserole. Dessert for the evening will be Derby and Golden Pecan Pies from Kerns Kitchen.

Tickets for the event are still available. VIP Tickets are $75 and include an exclusive Four Roses barrel tasting, photo opportunities, souvenir glass, event pin and VIP gift bag. General Admission tickets are $40, and include heavy appetizers, bourbon sampling, and Festival Unveiled Pin. Tickets are available at KDF.org or call (502) 584-FEST. (21 and over only. Must present ID upon entry.)

Citizens Union Bank and Four Roses are Presenting Sponsors of the event. Ladyfingers Catering is a Contributing Sponsor, along with Media Sponsors LEO Weekly.

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.