Lexington, Kentucky -- (March 25, 2009) -- A "Spotlight Lexington Festival" scheduled to coincide with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games was announced today by Mayor Jim Newberry. The 17-day Festival is scheduled to begin in downtown Lexington on Sept. 24, one day before the Games open at the Kentucky Horse Park, and is to continue through the evening of Oct. 10, the final day of the equestrian event.
"The world is coming to Lexington and this is an unparalleled opportunity for us to showoff our community and to help folks from around the world understand why Lexington is such a special city," the mayor said during a press conference at the Government Center. Newberry emphasized that
In attendance for the announcement were members of the city's Games Host Committee, the body that worked with Games officials to identify and clarify what roles the city will play in the event. That committee, chaired by Carolyn Richardson, has turned its attention to planning the Spotlight Lexington Festival.
"We're going to be spotlighting many, many talented Kentuckians and groups on each of the days. it's an exciting opportunity for Kentucky musical groups," Richardson said. "There's going to be something for everyone." Richardson said artists interested in performing as well as volunteers can apply online at www.lexingtonky.gov.
"Celebration packages" will be made available to downtown businesses interested in Festival display items. And a merchandise line is being developed to showcase the Spotlight Festival and its sponsors.
The Festival budget is estimated at between $800,000 and $1 million dollars, Richardson said. "It will come from sponsorships. There will not be any taxpayer money used to put on this 17-day celebration. It will all come from sponsorships and local contributions."
Entertainment and other events are to take place in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, Cheapside Park and Triangle Park. Plans call for police to patrol on horses decked out with Spotlight Lexington saddle pads. Downtown is to be decorated with "sustainable" plants and flowers and a 12-foot-high topiary in the image of a horse.
Ceremonies honoring the day's winning athletes as well as broadcasts of Games competitions will be shown on a jumbo screen located downtown.
The city's liaison to the Games, Krista Greathouse, is coordinating the city's plans for the Games and the Festival, and serving as city liaison to the Games organizing committee, the World Games 2010 Foundation.