Lexington, KY - When visitors from around the country and world flock to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Commonwealth of Kentucky won't let this unique opportunity slip away without offering guests an in-depth and close-up look at what the Bluegrass State has to offer.
It's known as The Kentucky Experience. You might even call it an inverse World's Fair. "We're assembling in one spot the best of Kentucky for the world to see," said Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear. "Our visitors will be able to walk through The Kentucky Experience, find out what's available in Kentucky and then make plans to visit that specific region of the Commonwealth."
The 25,000 square foot area is dubbed an "interactive walking exhibit." It will feature three large pavilions (exhibits, products and entertainment), a welcome center and a large courtyard and garden, created by Kentucky native John Carloftis, one of the nation's premier garden designers and known to some as the "Gardener to the Stars."
Visitors will enter The Kentucky Experience through the Welcome Center where they can check what special events are scheduled for that day and get information about each pavilion.
Visitors entering the exhibit pavilion will see attractions, displays, food and arts from all nine of Kentucky's tourism regions. Those regions are identified as Western Waterlands, Bluegrass, Blues and Barbecue, Kentucky's Derby Region, Northern Kentucky River Region, Bluegrass Region, Southern Lakes and Rivers, Caves, Lakes and Corvettes, Kentucky's Appalachians and Daniel Boone Country.
"There will be beautiful photographs of each region enhancing the feeling of being in those areas of the state. They will have display pieces to help you experience what it's like to visit that region," said Liz Chewning, Director of Marketing at the Kentucky Department of Travel.
For example, a display involving Colonel Harlan Sanders and his world famous Kentucky Fried Chicken might prompt a visitor to travel down to Corbin to see his original cafe and its museum.
A visitor may be inspired by the scenes of beautiful thoroughbreds and other horse breeds lolling in sun-drenched pastures and want to explore Central Kentucky horse farms or attend races at Keeneland in Lexington or Churchill Downs in Louisville.
"We hope they look at what's available here and make a second trip back. For those who already live in Kentucky, it's a chance to show them what's in their own backyard and to encourage them to make a trip across the state, instead of out of state," Chewning remarked.
On entering the product pavilion, attendees can see how Kentucky bourbon and wine are made and purchase Kentucky Proud products and Kentucky-made arts and crafts. They can sample everything from beer cheese to bourbon balls. Beautiful handmade Kentucky folk crafts and world-famous art will be displayed and available for purchase.
"We will showcase Kentucky proud and crafted foods, Jim Beam bourbon, Kentucky wine and ale that are for sale and have a Maker's Mark bottle dipping area. There will also be product demonstrations," said Chewning.
Again, the state hopes visitors will be inspired by it all. Some might sip one of Kentucky's signature bourbons onsite, be impressed with the flavor, aroma and 200-plus year history of the spirit, then want to return to travel the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which offers tours of six different distilleries.
The last stop at The Kentucky Experience is the entertainment pavilion. Live stage shows will offer non-stop music, dancing and other art forms. The place will be hopping for all 16 days of the equestrian games. "We will have Kentucky performers onstage throughout," added Chewning.
Outside The Kentucky Experience area, the Kentucky Horse Park will be hopping. "The Horse Park will be on steroids during the games," says Lisa Jackson, the Director of Marketing and Public Relations. The Equine Village will be going strong during the games, giving the entire equestrian world, outside of the eight disciplines, opportunities to be involved. There will be more than 40 booths featuring all of the horse organizations and at least 500 presentations, clinics, showcases and demonstrations, including several horse whisperers, for all 16 days. There will be more than 350 horses representing 30 breeds appearing daily in five venues.
The Gift from the Desert: the Art, History and Culture of the Arabian Horse
Imperial China: The Art of the Horse in Chinese History
All the Queen's Horses
The International Museum of the Horse with its new wing will have extended hours. exhibit runs through October 15. "It's one of the most prestigious art exhibitions anywhere on the planet this year," said Jackson. "It's one of the three international blockbusters we've done this decade, the other two being in 2000 and in 2003."
Normally, Horse Park admission is $16, but Jackson urges visitors to spring for the $25 Grounds Pass ticket which gives the holder access to everything occurring at the Horse Park, except the games themselves.