HULLABALOU EXPERIENCE TO INCLUDE AWARD-WINNING ART AND CRAFT OFFERINGS DURING FIRST-EVER SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

May 21, 2010

Kentucky Heritage Marketplace Will Offer Hand-Crafted Specialty Items For Music-Lovers

Over 50 prominent and award-winning Kentucky artisans will exhibit handcrafted art including custom jewelry and apparel, unique paintings, metal and wood products, prints, photography and hand blown glass. Specially selected artisans will represent the best from Kentucky and are juried members of the world-renowned Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen (KGAC). They will be featured at the HullabaLOU Music Festival July 23 – 25 within the Kentucky Heritage Marketplace, a specially constructed village conveniently located in the heart of the festival where artists can interact freely with guests.

“We are thrilled to showcase the works from the Kentucky Guild of Artisans and Craftsman at the inaugural HullabaLOU Music Festival,” CDE Vice President of Operations Ryan Jordan said. “Their authentic products made in the Bluegrass state have a strong regional appeal and are an ideal fit for HullabaLOU to enhance the overall festival experience. The Kentucky Heritage Marketplace will give festival goers a chance to browse the works of these featured Kentucky artists while enjoying their favorite bands.”

Scheduled demonstrations will occur throughout the day as artists will demonstrate to guests how they produce these unique pieces of work. Artisan Nora Swanson will be starting with large sheets of copper and brass before hammering and forming wearable art. “This is such a dream to work under the famous Twin Spires while having the opportunity to sell my art. I’ll be making jewelry out of genuine oxidized patinas. Every piece has a distinct personality with bright colors like juicy blue and melon patch, which are a couple of my personal favorites.”

The Kentucky Guild was founded in 1961 and is the oldest organization in Kentucky working to preserve and promote the rich heritage and exciting future of art and craft. The KGAC headquarters is located in Berea, Kentucky, officially designated as the "Art and Craft Capital" of Kentucky. KGAC is a statewide organization that focuses on the mission of establishing art and craft as a vital influence by promoting excellence through education, collaboration, leadership and service.

“Our organization is very pleased to be invited to the first-ever HullabaLOU and we thank the Churchill Downs Entertainment Group for allowing us to showcase Kentucky talent at the festival,” said Jeannette Rowlett, Executive Director of KGAC. “It’s a great opportunity for us to show the thousands of out-of-town visitors coming to this festival what Kentucky artists have to offer.”

For more information please contact HullabaLOU’s media relations department at 502/636-4585. Interviews are available upon request.

About Churchill Downs Entertainment

Churchill Downs Entertainment (“CDE”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) located in Louisville, Ky., that was formed to conceive, develop, produce and manage large-scale entertainment events at CDI and non-CDI properties. The immediate success of headline concerts by the Rolling Stones (2006) and The Police (2007) at the historic home of the Kentucky Derby led to the creation of CDE, which is also based in Louisville.