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Southern Lights Stroll Sets the Holiday Season in Motion

Run, Walk or Stroll through Annual Holiday Display in Heart of Horse Country

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 13, 2014) – To celebrate the return of the Southern Lights holiday festival, presented by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Inc., the Southern Lights Stroll will take place on Thursday, Nov. 20. On the only evening of Southern Lights when the public is allowed to experience a major portion of the lighted route on foot, visitors may choose to run, walk or stroll their way through thousands of dazzling holiday lights on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park.

Now in its 13th season, the Southern Lights Stroll has proven popular, from casual walkers and families who bring children and dogs to get photos and see the lights outside of a car, to serious runners who compete in the 5K portion of the Southern Lights Stroll.

John’s Run/Walk Shop has donated its services to the competitive 5k race, and awards will be given to winners. Additional activities include complimentary Mini Train Express rides, refreshments, prize drawings and more. A food drive for God’s Pantry and a local animal shelter will be held in conjunction with this event. All participants are asked to bring non-perishable items to help local families and animals in need.

Advance registration, through Nov. 14, is $20 for adults and $15 for kids 7-12. Walk-up registration on Nov. 20 begins at 5 p.m., and is $25 for adults and $15 for children 7 to 12. There is no charge for children 6 and younger.

The competitive 5k race begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the recreational stroll at 7 p.m. Check-in is at the park’s Visitor Center. The first 750 registered adults receive a free souvenir T-shirt, and the first 350 registered kids receive a free holiday souvenir.

All proceeds from the Southern Lights Stroll support the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. The 2014 Shining Star Presenting Sponsor is Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Inc.; the Holly & Ivy Sponsor is Kerr Brothers Funeral Homes; and the Ribbons & Bows Sponsors are Central Bank, Kentucky Utilities and Outdoor Lighting Perspectives. Additional sponsors for the Stroll are John’s Run/Walk Shop, the Mini Train Express, Pepsi, and SafetyTec.

Information on Southern Lights can be obtained by contacting the KHP Foundation at 859- 255-5727 or at foundation@khpfoundation.org, or by visiting www.SouthernLightsKy.org or www.KyHorsePark.com.

Note: Some electronic map services available on Apple and Android mobile and auto GPS devices are not providing accurate directions to the Kentucky Horse Park. We recommend that visitors use home computers to access a mapping service for directions, use the directions provided on the KHP website, www.KyHorsePark.com (available on the widget on the lower right-hand side under Address), follow the brown highway signs or call ahead to double-check their route.

The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, fulfills its mission to enhance, expand and improve the Kentucky Horse Park by fundraising within the private sector. This partnership between private donors and the support of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is what has enabled the incredible success of the Kentucky Horse Park. Since its inception in 1985, the KHP Foundation has raised more than $25 million, which has funded critical improvements such as new facilities, research projects, new horses, landscaping ventures, and much more.

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse. The park is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and hosted more than 800,000 visitors and campers, as well as 18,400 competition horses in more than 200 special events and horse shows in 2013. The park is home to the National Horse Center, which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations. Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is the place to get close to horses. Information about the park’s programs and activities can be on-line at www.KyHorsePark.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram.

Lisa Jackson
Kentucky Horse Park
859-259-4224
Lisa.Jackson@ky.gov

Laura Klumb
859-255-5727
Laura.Klumb@khpfoundation.org

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