Renewal of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival with Randy Prasse

In this episode of The Lou Review podcast, host Rosa Hart meets with KYBF President & COO Randy Prasse. He brings over 30 years of experience in festival production, destination marketing, and economic development to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. His career highlights include managing major events like Milwaukee’s Bastille Days and Jazz in the Park, the Wisconsin State Fair, the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Gettysburg, and producing the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Randy has been active in the International Festivals & Events Association for 20 years and is passionate about sports cars, antique toys, craft beer, and bourbon. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KYBF) will take place from September 13-15, 2024, in Bardstown, Kentucky. This 33rd annual celebration, held during National Bourbon Heritage Month, features more than 60 distilleries and over 200 whiskeys available for sampling and purchase. New amenities this year include additional distillery tents, a bottle shop by Evergreen Liquors, and KYBF’s first two-story tent with a cigar lounge. Attendees can enjoy culinary experiences, exclusive barrel picks, a rare and vintage bourbon auction, the Bourbon Marketplace, and the annual World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay Race. Expanded dining options include 18 food trucks in partnership with the Louisville Food Truck Association. Tickets are $180 for Weekend Bourbon Taster passes and $105 for Sunday Sampler 1-day passes. All VIP tickets are sold out, but hotel packages and special rates are available on the KYBF site. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. For more information, visit kybourbonfestival.com.