Photo by Louise Bowden (Visitors to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will get to visit with penguins from the Newport Aquarium.)
“It was excellent,” said Diana Simpson, a resident of Lexington, about the celebration. “The speakers were great, and there is a lot of enthusiasm. They are making it exciting.”
Those, like Simpson, who came downtown to celebrate, were able to preview some of the festivities that will be a part of the 2010 Games. Walking through the pavilion, visitors were able to grab themselves some Kentucky Ale; see pottery being made; view a Corvette inside and out; taste food from France, the host of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games; eat free Dippin’ Dots and even pet a penguin.
In addition to booths, the celebration featured a fashion show to showcase Ariat apparel, a book signing by Jon Carloftis, world-renowned gardener, for his book Beautiful Gardens of Kentucky, and Alltech’s announcement of the line-up for the Alltech Fortnight Festival, a 16-day concert series to take place in venues around the state during the Games.
WLEX anchor Nancy Cox emceed the festivities, and both she and First Lady Jane Beshear sported Ariat apparel on stage during the fashion show. Beshear spoke to the crowd about how excited she is to have the Games come to Kentucky, and how Kentucky will benefit from the Games.
“It makes it a little more real that it (the Games) is impending,” said Lauren Howard, of Lexington, about the celebration. “I’ve been watching the (countdown) signs, but this is a little more exciting.”
Howard, who brought her two children Tag and Noah, said she is sure she will be buying tickets and added that the celebration was a nice environment for the little ones.
The celebration featured many of the Games partners and sponsors, including Alltech’s Kentucky Ale, Alltech Angus, Newport Aquarium, the Kentucky Horse Park, Ariat, Dippin’ Dots, Corvette, and more. In addition, the World Games 2010 Foundation provided brochures, posters, and ticketing information.
As the festivities came to a close, so did one more day in the countdown to the Games. And with the 100 Days to Go celebration serving as just a taste of what the actual Games will be like, don’t be left without a ticket
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About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States. Tickets to the 2010 Games are still available and can be purchased through the official Games website, through TicketMaster.com, through the Ticketmaster hotline at (800) 745-3000, or at your local Ticketmaster outlet.
The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which marks the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $167 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc., Meydan, UK Healthcare, and Kentucky Ale. For more information on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games please visit, www.alltechfeigames.com.