The Bourbon and Bluegrass Festival started today in Lexington, and thousands of fans of Kentucky’s signature products expect to turn out for the event. The event is annual and now is in its eighth year, the idea is perfect for Lexington and it unites music, spirits, and Southern charm.

Bourbon & Beyond is a three-day music and food festival that took place at the Keeneland Racecourse and boasts none other than 50+ bourbon exhibitors and bluegrass musicians. Featured bourbons range from the most popular bourbon brands to the lesser-known ones, and the participants are entertained by both main-stay bluegrass performers and local talent.

This year’s musical acts are the Grammy-winning band, The Steep Canyon Rangers, The Wooks, and the legendary Ricky Skaggs. The primary dance floor situated in front of the fairway and the gorgeously sloping landscape of Keeneland make the facility perfect for hosting performances that occur from noon into the night.

As for bourbon, the following companies are represented – large-scale companies that produce the like of Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, and the up-and-coming Buffalo Trace – these are accompanied by small-scale craft distilleries for an efficient sweep through the maple street. Tasting sessions run throughout the day, and master distillers are on hand to answer questions and provide an informative masterclass for those attending this festival of drink.

Festival organizer John Higgins expressed his excitement about this year’s event: This we have done to ensure that we give you the right experience that defines the state of Kentucky. That is why people say that here is the perfect union of world-class bourbon and honest-bluegrass music.”

Brand new to the festival this year is the “Bourbon Innovation” tent, which offers visitors experimental and small-batch bourbons to taste. This addition has been well-liked by attendees, most of whom have appreciated the ability to sample many different spirits that would be difficult to come across otherwise.

The festival also offers a great line up of food vendors who sell Kentucky styled foods ranging from barbeque to the more creative wherein their foods contain bourbon. Maria Rodriguez contacted BBC to provide her experience as a local chef whose specialty is desserts with bourbon: “This type of festival is a good chance to prove that bourbon is not only an alcoholic beverage one can drink, but it is also useful in cooking.”

anza includes educational elements such as demonstration and discussions on the history of bourbon, production of the bourbon drink, and how to prepare the bourbon-based cocktail known as the Manhattan. These sessions have been well received and many of the individual events have been booked solid, far ahead of the festival.

It has also broadened its environmental theme, particularly this year. Plastic glasses are available at the event to minimize wastage while organizations on conservation of water recursos in the states of Kentucky are also engaged to share their information.

This year, however, most organizers have taken extra time to ensure that drinkers are responsible as they celebrate. “Bottled water will be provided freely at different points around the compound and there are special rates for transport services to enableStamp-makers get home safely.”

Certain economic effects arose from the festival, which shaped the economy of Lexington, as follows: Hotels say they are nearly fully booked, and more people are going to restaurants in the downtown area. “This festival has really become one of the significant benefits for the economy of Lexington,” shared the mayor Linda Gorton. ‘It does more than just the tourism business revenue; it promotes and provides visibility to what defines our city and state.’

But as the festival increasingly gains popularity there have been some vices identified as well. Parking has been deemed a problem, people having to line up for the shuttle services from of site lots. Producers of such mega events have admitted to these issues and assured that they will be worked on and maybe a larger venue could be sought in future editions.

The festival has also undergone some criticism in relation to the health Organizations that are against the promotion of alcohol drinking. Due to this, the organizers have enhanced the provision of alcoholic beverages accompanied by training materials on moderate drinking.

Still, as it was above shown, the overall atmosphere at the festival is of joy and people’s unison. People who traveled from California and New York equally talked with other regional supporters expressing love to Kentucky cultural arts.

Long-time festival-goer Sarah Thompson summed up the sentiment of many attendees: Not to mention that drinking bourbon and listening to bluegrass may be very inspirational in the place where both traditions began. Festival, is more than just a festival, it is a celebration of Kentucky soul.

On the first day of the festival, as the sun went down, banjos and fiddles played, weaving through the smell of bourbon and barbecue. While there are still two more days filled with music and tasting left, we are sure that the Bourbon and Bluegrass Festival will once again become one of the greatest traditions of Lexington.

In addition to promoting and launching Kentucky’s bourbon and bluegrass industries, it creates an environment where people are reminded of its Mosiac heritage. Year after year, with new wrinkles and as it matured, it still held fast to its motto, delivering good ‘ul’ Kentucky hospitality and good ‘ul’ Kentucky heritage at the Bourbon and Bluegrass Festival.