LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bourbon and Beyond takes flight today after a three-year break because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 50 musical artists will take the stage over the next four days at the Highland Festival Grounds in Louisville. Promoted as the largest bourbon and music festival in the world, spectators can experience bourbon tastings and view culinary demonstrations. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., with music beginning at noon and ending at 11 p.m. each night.
Headliners include Jack White, Alanis Morissette, Pearl Jam and Kentucky-native, Chris Stapleton. Louisville-based Ed Lee, who won the James Beard Award in 2019, is the headlining chef, sharing his knowledge during a culinary demonstration. The combination of the experiences has attracted fans from Canada, New Jersey and Maine.
Along with Stapleton, other Kentucky-based acts include Juke Box the Ghost, Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers and As You Were.
Chris Mercier and Deb Mitchell, who traveled over 1,100 miles from Pownal, Maine, are revisiting after coming to the festival in 2019. “We dig the bluegrass and the rock n’ roll so it’s the perfect combo. And there’s bourbon right in between,” Mercier said.
The festival is hosting international travelers as well. Lorianne and Tim Kowaliszyn are visiting Louisville from Manitoba, Canada. They learned about the festival after seeing Jack White’s Instagram post announcing his upcoming performance at the event.
While at the festival, bourbon-lovers can witness history as the final round of The Louisville Cocktail competition begins. The cocktail, which is expected to be enjoyed around the world, will include Kentucky Bourbon.
The Danny Wimmer Presents production will feature four days of music and tastings for the first time in the festival’s history.
Over 100,000 people are expected to attend the festival, a significant increase from the 91,000 attendance in 2019.