‘FESTIVAL UNVEILED’ FEATURES JULEP COMPETITION & KENTUCKY CUISINE
March 10, 2022, Louisville, KY. Kentucky Bourbon-inspired cuisine and cocktails will be in the spotlight as the Kentucky Derby Festival kicks off its first event of the 2022 Festival season. Festival Unveiled is Wednesday, March 16 at the Mellwood Art Center. The event starts at 5 p.m. Four Roses Bourbon and German American Bank are the Presenting Sponsors of this pre-Festival party.
“Festival Unveiled” will highlight several elements of the 2022 Festival, including the 2022 Official Poster and Merchandise line. Guests will have the chance to meet Kacy Jackson, the 2022 Official Poster artist, as well as purchase a poster and have it personalized by him. While enjoying the evening, they can also bid on a silent auction of framed posters.
In conjunction with the event, Four Roses is hosting the Four Roses Rose Julep Cocktail Competition, which challenges mixologists from Louisville and surrounding areas to showcase their skills in front of guests. For the first time at this Festival favorite, Four Roses is bringing back eight past competition winners to participate and go head-to-head with their previous winning recipes featuring unique and inventive twists on the season’s signature cocktail – The Mint Julep. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample eight Rose Julep recipes and vote for the “People’s Choice” Rose Julep.
Kentucky-inspired cuisine will be available at the event provided by Ladyfingers Catering. The menu features Ale 8-1 Brown Sugar Glazed Ham with petite biscuits, Bourbon Basted Slow Roasted Casino Beef with Henry Baines, Horseradish and rolls, Bourbon Smoked Pulled Pork BBQ Sliders, Homemade Pimento Cheese Cocktail Rolls and Cheddar Chive Hashbrown Casserole. Passed hors d’oeuvres include: Gourmet cubed cheese with fresh fruit, garden fresh vegetable crudité with dip, Hot Brown Dip with creamy Mornay, roasted turkey Maplewood bacon and diced tomatoes with dippers, Bourbon Peppercorn Cocktail Meatballs, Kentucky Weisenberger Grits & Shrimp and Kentucky Proud Weisenberger Grits seasoned with garlic and Parmesan. Dessert for the evening will be Derby-Pie ® from Kern’s Kitchen.
Tickets for the event are still available. VIP tickets are $65 and include hors d’oeuvres and food pairings, an exclusive Four Roses tasting, photo opportunities, souvenir glass, Official Poster pin and VIP gift bag. General Admission tickets are $45 and include heavy appetizers, a bourbon sampling, and the Official Poster Pin. Tickets are available at KDF.org or call (502) 584-FEST. (21 and over only. Must present ID upon entry.)
Four Roses Bourbon and German American Bank are Presenting Sponsors of the event. Ladyfingers Catering and the Kentucky Beef Council are Contributing Sponsors, along with Media Sponsor LEO Weekly.
About Kentucky Derby Festival
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. This involvement has made the festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
