LEXINGTON, KY - LFUCG's Spotlight Downtown Lexington festival got a boost last week in announcing it had landed a presenting sponsor for its 17-day celebration to coincide with next year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Saint Joseph Health System is contributing a total of $300,000 to the downtown event aimed at attracting WEG spectators downtown at the conclusion of the day's events at the Kentucky Horse Park as well as encouraging Lexingtonians to participate in the Games even if they don't attend an event.
"We think it is a great way to show off all of the good stuff here and so we hope people leave with the intent to come back," Saint Joseph Health System CEO Eugene Woods said. "As we focus on the World Equestrian Games with people coming from out of town, I think it is going to be as important to continue to bring Kentuckians together here, and that's what we're hoping to see."
Mayor Jim Newberry said Saint Joseph's $250,000 cash sponsorship along with $50,000 of in-kind assistance will help the city build up the programming for each night of the festival.
"It makes the rest of the fundraising that much easier," Newberry said. "The fact that they recognize the kind of visibility and the value that the Games bring to them will help in making it easier for others to get involved down the road.
"We've kind of got a high, a low and an in-between budget, so we think we'll need $900,000 to $1 million to do it in a minimal fashion. If we get to a million and higher, I think we can do a first-rate deal," the mayor added.
The difference in the level of sponsorship dollars received will determine the type of entertainment that will be a part of the Spotlight festival. The event will occur in three areas: Triangle Park, where family and children's activities will take place; Cheapside Park, where live music will be performed; and at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, where medal winners will recreate their medal ceremonies and host nightly concerts. There will also be a live television feed from the Horse Park downtown throughout the competition so those who cannot attend can still watch the events from Lexington's inner core.
Read Business Lexington's upcoming June 12th issue for a comprehensive look into Lexington's preparations for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which is now just 15 months away.