The big event is only two months away now. I am feeling the excitement already and I hope you are, too! I wanted to share some tips and helpful hints for first timers and seasoned veterans before you head off to the festival. It is always good to be “in the know before you go!”
New this year will be shuttle buses to take guests to and from the Kentucky Horse Park and Breyer’s Partner Hotels. You don’t want to miss visiting the Clarion Hotel for Breyerfest After Dark (where you can go from room to room at the Clarion and hunt for new herd members, trade models, see new things and talk with great people) and since parking is almost impossible, the shuttle buses will make your life so much easier. Be sure to take advantage of them. A full schedule will be released in June. If you are a newbie, you will want to visit the Clarion Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights! If you have young children whom you don’t want to drag around with you from room to room so you can browse in peace and take your time, there’s a great indoor swimming pool and play area where you can leave them to play until you are finished.
The Covered Arena is where all the live action and vendors are and this is a great place to leave your spouse or kids who don’t feel like walking around while you stand in lines for special run tickets and stores and tents, etc. They can watch all the action from the comfort of their seat. This is a great rendezvous place, too!
Visit the the Craft and Activity Tent behind the Covered Arena to paint your very own Stablemate, see a magic show, learn to juggle or get your face painted. Also in this area are food trucks for refreshments.
Head to the stables next to meet all of the equine stars, take a photo and get your model autographed (check for times in your brochure). The Celebration Horse, Oliver, will be housed in the KHP Police Barn located before you reach the covered arena.
Your 3 Day Ticket permits you full access to many of the attractions at the Horse Park, so be sure to stop by the Visitor Center at the front gate to pick up a schedule. This is also where you can visit the gift shop, see the special models on display for Saturday night’s auction, enter and view the Diorama Contest and attend any of the free seminars that Breyer will be hosting. Plus it’s a great place to cool off since it is air conditioned, ahhhhh!
There is a help booth upon entering Breyerfest just outside the Covered Arena where you can pick up a program, some free goodies and your single day ticket Stablemates. This is where you go to ask questions, too! Everyone is happy to help, so don’t be afraid to just ask.
Across the way from the Help Booth, is the Collector’s Club Members’ Tent. You must be a member. Stop by and receive your free water and have a seat inside, cool off, check out the collector’s models on display and read issues of JAH. This is a great place to sit down and refresh yourself.
Continue past the Collector’s Club Tent and head off to the right to Celebration Park! Here you will see the SuperDogs Waterbark show, Kids Jumping competition, CollectA Dino Dig, an interactive Civil War Reenactment Camp, pony rides, the carousel, and more from Cincinnati Circus – they’ll be doing hula hooping, face painting, and death-defying aerials tricks!
Catch a shuttle at the Covered Arena to head up to the Alltech Center where you can catch the model horse shows on Friday and Saturday (early in the morning and going all day). This is where the Friday and Saturday evening (6:30pm) Celebration of Horses Show will be held, too.
Don’t forget the 5K race on Sunday morning.
This is only the beginning of being prepared for Breyerfest! More will come as we get closer to the date. Mark your calendars. The countdown has begun!
