Events Feature Local Foods and Drinks

FRANKFORT (April 11, 2019) — Kentucky Derby Festival revelers can enjoy Kentucky Proud foods and beverages in events throughout the annual celebration of the Commonwealth’s signature event.

“Kentucky Proud and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture are thrilled to be a part of the Kentucky Derby Festival again this year,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “In the run-up to the most exciting two minutes in sports, it’s only fitting that we mark the occasion with outstanding locally grown and raised Kentucky Proud products. We are grateful to our partners at the Derby Festival for providing us a venue to introduce festival-goers to these great products made by Kentucky family farmers and small businesses.”

The They’re Off! Luncheon on Friday at the Galt House East has become a traditional showcase for Kentucky Proud products. Kentucky Proud items on the menu include Weisenberger Mill cornbread croutons, demi-glace with Prayer Mountain mushrooms, mashed potatoes prepared with Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese smoked gouda, smoked black pepper from Bourbon Barrel Foods, and Kern’s Kitchen Derby-Pie. For tickets and more information, go to discover.kdf.org/theyre-off-luncheon.

The Derby Festival’s Kentucky Proud WineFest, April 30 and May 1, gives guests the opportunity to sample wines from more than a dozen Kentucky wineries. Kentucky Proud vendors Mr. G’s Kettle Corn, Lucky Clover Farm, and Zeggz also were confirmed at press time. The annual celebration of local wines will begin at 5 p.m. each day at the Belevedere at Waterfront Park. For more information, go to discover.kdf.org/winefest.

At the Great Steamboat Race Presented by IBEW Local 369 on May 1, Four Roses Bourbon of Lawrenceburg will provide a special bourbon tasting aboard the Belle of Cincinnati. The Burger Bar will feature products from Kentucky Proud members Beef Solutions, Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese, Pop’s Pepper Patch, Salad Days Farm, Townsend Sorghum, Blue Dog Bakery, Bourbon Barrel Foods, and Derby-Pie from Kern’s Kitchen. For details, including ticket prices, go to discover.kdf.org/great-steamboat-race.

In keeping with the “Superheroes” theme in the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade on May 2, the Kentucky Proud float will salute Kentucky farmers who are military veterans, reservists, and active duty. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture founded Homegrown By Heroes in 2013 as a distinct Kentucky Proud brand to identify farm products produced by farmers who served and continue to serve our country in the military. To find out more about the Pegasus Parade, go to discover.kdf.org/pegasusparade.

Kentucky Proud is the official brand for agricultural products grown, raised, processed, and/or manufactured in Kentucky. To learn more about Kentucky Proud, go to kyproud.com.

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles (on tractor) and friends wave to onlookers at the 2018 Pegasus Parade. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture photo)