LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival official poster was rolled off the presses Friday morning at Louisville’s Welch Printing, along with pieces of this year’s official KDF merchandise line.
The poster was designed by Louisville artist Richard Sullivan, a former professional baseball player for the Atlanta Braves. He says the poster is called “Liberated.”
“Growing up in Louisville, spring was my favorite time of year because of the magic of the Kentucky Derby Festival and the Kentucky Derby,” Sullivan said. “There’s so much celebration, the city feels like it’s flying. I wanted to capture that spirit of flight in my artwork by merging the competitive spirit of the thoroughbred with the magic and beauty of the Pegasus.”
His watercolor artwork captures the spirit of KDF through the Pegasus, the signature symbol of the Festival. Pegasus is a winged horse of Greek mythology, chosen as the symbol of KDF back in 1956.
“Richard’s use of color in this year’s Poster screams spring and his watercolor style adds whimsy to the Festival’s Pegasus mascot,” Kentucky Derby Festival Merchandising Manager Jennifer Morgan said. “And with fashion playing a key role in the Derby Festival season, we also can’t wait to see our Festival fans soon wearing our festive new merchandise collection out and about in the community.”
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This year’s merchandise line features more than 100 products, including t-shirts, hats, and mugs. Posters and merchandise are available for purchase online. Merchandise will be available at select Kroger stores and A Taste of Kentucky beginning in March.
Festival fans can order the 2024 Official Poster and Merchandise online beginning Friday, Feb. 2, and receive a 20% discount (excluding all Pins) through Friday, Feb. 9.
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