Spring is nearly here and that can only mean one thing, the countdown to the Kentucky Derby has begun. The Kentucky Derby may be the largest and most historic Thoroughbred horse race in the world but, the two week Kentucky Derby Festival leading up to the Derby actually attracts a larger crowd than the race on Derby day.
In the fall of 2017, Woodford Reserve Distillery made Derby news when it announced it would be the official sponsor of the actual Kentucky Derby race. Taking the lead from one of the world’s biggest spirits makers, startup craft spirits maker Jeptha Creed Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky has just announced it is the official Vodka of the 2018 Kentucky Derby Festival.
Mother-daughter founders of Jeptha Creed Distillery Joyce Nethery and Autumn Nethery are thrilled to announce the new partnership. The Kentucky Derby Festival is a month-long celebration leading up to Derby day including events of all kinds for people of all ages. Jeptha Creed vodka will be available for purchase at Thunder Over Louisville on April 21 and Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville at the Chow Wagon April 27 through May 4.
“I’m really excited about this partnership. I think it’s going to be great for us, great for the community and great for the Kentucky Derby Festival,” Autumn Nethery says.
Watch the Official Announcement from the Distillery
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As the official vodka of the Kentucky Derby Festival, Jeptha Creed will also be a part of various events during the festival including the Derby Festival Spring Fashion Show, Hole-In-One Contest, They’re Off Luncheon, Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, Race Expo and Packet Pick-up, and Celebrity Day at the Downs.
This partnership is a unique opportunity to keep the local pride of the Kentucky Derby Festival alive through its support of a local brand. As the official vodka, Jeptha Creed will host a bar for nine days during Kroger’s “Fest-A-Ville” where 200,000 patrons can purchase Jeptha Creed Vodka cocktails.
“Jeptha Creed, as the official vodka of the festival, is going to be one of the important sponsors and I would tell you, one of the signature pieces of our sponsorship family,” Jeff English, President of the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, says. “The only way we can entertain 1.5 million people every spring is through the support of community businesses like this, locally owned businesses, folks who really care about the community, but also understand the importance of bringing everyone together and really supporting Louisville and the tradition of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Derby Festival each spring.”
Jeptha Creed Cocktail Passport – 17 Stops
Jeptha Creed also announced their cocktail passport book program, set to launch on March 1st. In conjunction with the passport program, Jeptha Creed vodka cocktails will be available throughout the months of March, April and May at 17 participating restaurants and bars.
To complete the passport program, patrons must purchase the official Jeptha Creed cocktail at a minimum of six participating restaurants or bars and receive a stamp in their book as proof of purchase. Once a patron has received six stamps, they may take their book to the distillery where they will receive a free tour and commemorative glass for their participation.
The Bluegrass Belle Cocktail
Patrons can pick up passport books at any participating restaurant or at Jeptha Creed Craft Distillery. Books will also be distributed in gift bags at Kentucky Derby Festival events.
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