The Breeders’ Cup Host Committee has organized a weeklong, citywide festival for the week leading up to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, with multiple events at various venues taking place Oct. 24-31. Here, we’ve outlined just a handful of our picks for the week.
While some events are ticketed, many of the downtown festivities are free and open to the public. Visit www.breederscupfestival.com for more details on these and other festival-related events, which include horse farm tours, sunrise breakfasts at Keeneland, draw parties, dedications and more.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Feeders’ Cup. Breeders’ Cup Festival week kicks off with this inaugural food truck competition and tasting event, spotlighting local and regional food trucks. Admission includes live music from Johnny Conqueroo, Coralee and the Townies and Sheisty Khrist, as well as unlimited tastings from 20 food trucks. The truck with the most votes wins a prime downtown location later in the week during the Breeders’ Cup Festival festivities. 3-11 p.m., Whitaker Bank Ballpark, 207 Legends Lane.
“I Dedicate This Ride: The Life and Times of Isaac Murphy.” This powerful play written by Frank X. Walker and performed by Message Theatre follows the life of Lexington Thoroughbred racing legend and African-American jockey Isaac Murphy (1861-1896). 7 p.m., Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St.
Sunday, Oct. 25
Kentucky for Kentucky 25 Furlong Fun Run. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite Kentuckian – from Abraham Lincoln to Kim Davis – and compete for a $1,000 best-costume prize for this family-friendly 5K “fun run” hosted by Kentucky for Kentucky. 2 p.m., Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy.
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The Lexington Halloween Parade begins at 8 p.m., with “Thriller” set for 8:30 p.m. Downtown. | Photo furnished
Thriller Parade. Under the direction of Mecca Live Studio and other partnering organizations, more than 1,500 zombies and ghouls dance along to the world’s largest re-enactment of Michael Jackson’s epic “Thriller” video for this annual downtown Lexington tradition. The Lexington Halloween Parade begins at 8 p.m., with “Thriller” set for 8:30 p.m. Downtown.
Here Come the Mummies at the Kentucky Ale Stage. The Nashville-based funk band known for performing in full-blown mummy costumes kicks off a week’s worth of free live shows from regional and touring bands on the Breeders’ Cup Festival main stage, located on the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza at 8 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26
Tim Talbert Project. Downtown’s 5/3 Pavilion at Cheapside Park will host local music acts nightly throughout the week, kicking off Monday with the high-energy jazz outfit Tim Talbert Project. 6 p.m., 5/3 Pavilion at Cheapside Park.
Tee Dee Young and Ben Lacy. Two of Lexington’s finest guitar aces make a rare dual appearance. 6:45 p.m., Courthouse Plaza.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Ralph Curtis and the Nashville Imposters. Enjoy tributes to some of the great country singers with this local outfit. 6 p.m., 5/3 Pavilion at Cheapside Park.
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The Suffers, a Houston-based soul act will perform Tuesday, Oct. 27 at the downtown Courthouse Plaza. | Photo furnished
The Suffers. This 10-member Houston, Texas-based soul act combines classic and contemporary sounds with a rocking rhythm and blues backbeat. With opening act The Trendells. 6:45 p.m., Courthouse Plaza, downtown.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Kentucky Crafted. Fine art and crafts from some of Kentucky’s best artists and other unique Bluegrass gifts or souvenirs will be available in a comfortable, convenient and rustic setting for this curated shopping event organized by the Kentucky Arts Council. Noon-6 p.m. at The Livery, 238 E. Main St.
Bourbon Backstretch: Master Distillers’ Night. The top Kentucky master distillers associated with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail unite under one roof to taste some of the best of “America’s Native Spirit.” Patrons can enjoy nearly 40 whiskies poured by the master distillers themselves at the event, which also includes food and live entertainment. 6-10 p.m., The Livery, 238 E. Main St.
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Local favorites Coralee and the Townies will perform Wednesday, Oct. 28 in the 5/3 Pavilion at Cheapside Park. | Photo by Andrew Brinkhorst
Coralee and the Townies. These local favorites play rousing roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll with honky-tonk soul. 6 p.m. 5/3 Pavilion at Cheapside Park.
Travelin’ McCourys and Town Mountain. The Travelin’ McCoury blend Bluegrass and R&B while Town Mountain is an acoustic Bluegrass outfit from Asheville, North Carolina. With local support from The Wooks. 6:45 p.m., Courthouse Plaza, downtown.
“Dreamer” screening. Inspired by a true story, this 2005 equestrian-themed movie stars Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning and Kris Kristofferson. 7:15 p.m., Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St.
Oliver Lewis Way Bridge Lighting and Fireworks. A celebration of the unveiling of a public art project along the key entryway to downtown. 7:30 p.m., Newtown Pike at Main Street.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Kentucky Crafted. Fine art and crafts from some of Kentucky’s best artists and other unique Bluegrass gifts or souvenirs will be available in a comfortable, convenient and rustic setting for this curated shopping event organized by the Kentucky Arts Council. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at The Livery, 238 E. Main St.
Swing Street. This six-piece variety dance band boasts four distinctive vocalists. 6 p.m., 5/3 Pavilion at Cheapside Park.
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New Orleans’ own Stooges Brass Band will perform Thursday, Oct. 29 at the Courthouse Plaza, downtown. | Photo furnished
Stooges Brass Band. This high-energy New Orleans-based ensemble blends traditional brass with hip-hop. With opening act The Big Maracas. 6:45 p.m. Courthouse Plaza, downtown.
“Secretariat” screening. This well-received 2010 film tells the true story of one of horse racing’s legends, the 1973 Triple Crown-winner that broke a 25-year drought. 7:15 p.m., Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St.
Friday, Oct. 30
Breeders’ Cup Bash at Red Mile. The newly renovated historic track in downtown Lexington provides an alternative place to watch, wager and celebrate all of the Breeders’ Cup races. 10 a.m., 1200 Red Mile Road.
Bourbon Backstretch: Tasting Night. Attendees will have the chance to sample the top whiskeys associated with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Tickets also include food and live entertainment. 6-10 p.m., at The Livery, 238 E. Main St.
Zeb Harrison and the Sound of Praise; Kenny Owens and Group Therapy. Zeb Harrison and the Sound of Praise provides blasts of brass and Kenny Owens and Group Therapy will bring the classic alternative ’80s and ’90s rock. 6 p.m., 5/3 Pavilion at Cheapside Park.
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JD McPherson will perform Friday, Oct. 30 at the downtown Courthouse Plaza. | Photo furnished
JD McPherson. Oklahoma guitarist JD McPherson and his band play rock and R&B. With opening act The Johnson Brothers Band. 6:45 p.m., Courthouse Plaza, downtown.
Guest Chef Night feat. Matt Lambert, Aarón Sánchez and Janine Booth. Three celebrity chefs will each prepare a course for this special ticketed meal, which is open to Spindletop members and non-members alike. Seatings at 7 and 7:30 p.m., The Club at Spindletop.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Kentucky Crafted. Fine art and crafts from some of Kentucky’s best artists and other unique Bluegrass gifts or souvenirs will be available in a comfortable, convenient and rustic setting for this curated shopping event organized by the Kentucky Arts Council. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., The Livery, 238 E. Main St.
Breeders’ Cup Bash. The newly renovated historic track in downtown Lexington provides an alternative place to watch, wager and celebrate all of the Breeders’ Cup races. 10 a.m., 1200 Red Mile Road.
Bourbon Backstretch: Tasting Night. Attendees will have the chance to sample the top whiskeys associated with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Tickets also include food and live entertainment. 6-10 p.m., The Livery, 238 E. Main St.
The Swells. Chris Sullivan, Warren Byrom and Andy Mason front this Lexington-based outfit known for its mix of jazz, swing and traditional country blues. 6 p.m., 5/3 Pavilion at Cheapside Park.
The Wags. Local supergroup The Wags will kick out their “gloriously skewed golden pop” on the big stage, with opening act The Twiggenburys. 6:45 p.m., Courthouse Plaza, downtown.
Click through to the next page for a listing of special Breeders' Cup-related gallery exhibits.
Downtown Arts Center
141 E. Main St.
859-425-2550
“Illumination Art.” An image from artist Marjorie Guyon will be projected on the DAC building.
“American Pyro.” This premiere solo installation by internationally known Kentucky-based glass artist Stephen Rolfe Powell explores the manipulation of light through glass.
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Blown glassworks by artist Stephen Rolfe Powell will be on display at the Downtown Arts Center from Oct. 9 thru Dec. 6 | Photo furnished
Headley-Whitney Museum
4435 Old Frankfort Pike
859-255-6653
“Treasures from the Farms.” A showcase of some of the beautiful artwork, trophies and memorabilia housed at some of the area’s most famous horse farms.
Highlighting the Championships: “A Breeders’ Cup Collection.” A showcase of memorabilia from the last 31 years of the Breeders’ Cup, including the 25th Anniversary Breeders’ Cup trophy, the Emmy won in 1993 for the telecast of the race, photographs and more.
Artsplace
161 N. Mill St.
859-255-2951
“Kentucky Collects: Sporting Art from the Collection of John and Luanne Milward.” An exhibit of equine and British art from the personal collection of John Milward.
Loudoun House
209 Castlewood Dr.
859-254-7024
“Here and Now: Selections from the Artists Archive.” This multi-media exhibition celebrates the cultural vibrancy and diversity of art in the region, highlighting a selection of contemporary visual artists profiled in the Lexington Art League’s Artist Archive Program, a searchable online compendium of more than 200 Central Kentucky visual artists.
Lyric Theatre
300 E. Third St.
859-280-2201
“Prince of Jockeys: The Life of Isaac Burns Murphy.” Based on the biography of Isaac Burns Murphy by author and historian Dr. Pellom McDaniels III, this exhibition highlights the life and career of Murphy, one of America’s greatest jockeys.
University of Kentucky Art Museum
405 Rose Street
859-257-5716
www.finearts.uky.edu/art-museum
“Bottoms Up: A Sculpture Survey.” This exhibition revels in the dialogue between specific sculptural objects, from a Native American totem pole to a contemporary female figure cast from high-heeled shoes. On display are sculptures from artists including Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, Jean Baptiste Carpeaux and more.
International Museum of the Horse
Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Parkway
859-259-4232
The International Museum of the Horse will host several exhibits of special interest to Breeders’ Cup attendees, with items that include Derby and Preakness trophies, memorabilia from Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed. cc