The 26th Annual Bourbon Ball, a fundraising gala that benefits the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2010, from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, at The Henry Clay, 604 South Third Street. The special evening will include a silent auction, artists’ trunk shows, bourbon tastings, a conversation rooftop garden, dinner by The Silver Spoon, dancing to the music of nationally recognized DJ Benzi, Kentucky crafts, and an After Party at 21C.

The participating distilleries are Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon, Jim Beam Brands Co., Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Wild Turkey Bourbon, and Woodford Reserve Distillery.

For the first time, many of the auction items will be posted on the event website – www.kentuckybourbonball.org – prior to the evening of the event, allowing even those who cannot attend the opportunity to bid. Perhaps the most rare item is an autographed racing saddle and saddle blanket signed by more than 15 legendary jockeys, including: Calvin Borel, Robby Albarado, Garrett Gomez, Thomas Pompeii, Corey Nakatani, Brian Hernandez, Jon Court, Franco Torres, Shaun Bridgeman, Javier Castellano, Jamie Theriot, Pat Day, Chris McCarron, Jean Cruguet (Seattle Slew), Steve Cauthen (Affirmed), and Ron Turcotte (Secretariat).

This year’s Bourbon Ball is generously sponsored by Brown-Forman, Jim Beam, Fifth Third Bank, Frost Brown Todd LLC, The Glenview Trust Company, and YUM! Brands Foundation, with additional support from 21c Museum Hotel, 21 Skye Design, Brown Jordan International, Clark & Riggs Printing, Jenkins Eliason Interiors, Publishers Printing Co., Reliable Rentals, Sophisticated Living Magazine, and Website Mentors LLC.

Patron tickets are $300 per person (includes Bourbon Tastings & Hors d’ oeuvres, Silent Auction, Dinner & Dancing at The Henry Clay) and social tickets are $100 per person (includes Bourbon Tastings & Hors d’ oeuvres, Silent Auction, and Dancing at The Henry Clay). Call (502) 589-0102 or email karenwelch@kentuckyarts.org for more information or to purchase tickets.

About the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft

The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, located at 715 West Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981. Its mission is to promote and support art and craft excellence in Kentucky. The Museum is supported in part by the Fund for the Arts and the Kentucky Arts Council, a state arts agency that supports the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft through the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment. Admission is $6 for adults, free for KMAC members, students and children under 12. For more information, please call 502.589.0102 or log on to www.KentuckyArts.org.