March 2, 2016. Louisville, KY. – Spring was in the air tonight as a sold out crowd joined the Kentucky Derby Festival to unveil elements of its upcoming festivities, including the 2016 Official Poster and Merchandise line. The first Official KDF event of the New Year – Festival Unveiled presented by Citizens Union Bank and Four Roses Bourbon – was held at Mellwood Arts Center, with 700 guests in attendance.
The 2016 Poster Artist, Kathy Sullivan, was on hand at the event to sign copies of her image. The 2016 Kentucky Derby Festival poster art features an elegant silhouette of a Pegasus taking flight. The image is available in both an Official version which sells for $30 and a Signed and Numbered Limited Edition which sells for $75. They are available online at KDF.org and can also be found in local frame shops.
Sullivan lives locally in Louisville, and her art can be seen across the Bluegrass. Her art is featured on the walls of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium; the 2006 Woodford Reserve bottle; the walls of Humana Corporation; and throughout the pages of American Art Collector Magazine. Her unconventional roots in art therapy are evident in her artwork’s illustrious brushstrokes and flowing imagery.
For 2016, the Derby Festival also has a second line of merchandise which showcases the design of Dacia Berry, a 15-year-old DuPont Manual Student. Her artwork is featured on shirts and other Festival products this year.
The Festival’s official merchandise line includes over 100 pieces from t-shirts to caps and mugs and was produced by their new apparel partner, Synergism Apparel, Inc. Official Derby Festival merchandise is available at Kroger, Wal-Mart, and Taste of Kentucky locations, as well as online at KDF.org.
In addition to rolling out the Official Poster and Merchandise for the first time, guests at the pre-Festival party received the 2016 Official Program with complete details of the upcoming Festival. Derby Festival followers can also search for the Kentucky Derby Festival app in their Smartphone’s’ App store or Google Play.
As a special treat, Four Roses Bourbon held the 13th Annual Rose Julep Recipe Contest in conjunction with Festival Unveiled. Damien Cooke of Proof on Main won the Judges’ Award with his “Hot to Trot Julep” and Colleen McCarthy-Clarke of Martini Italian Bistro People’s Choice Award with her “Southern Charm” recipe.
Festival Unveiled featured cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary gift for guests. There was also a silent auction of framed 2016 Official and Limited Edition Posters and postcards. Citizens Union Bank and Four Roses Bourbon are Presenting Sponsors of the event. Contributing Sponsor is Ladyfingers Catering. Media sponsors are LEO Weekly and Q103.1.
The Derby Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people annually. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
