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

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2013) – With the return of the Southern Lights holiday festival, presented by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Inc., the Southern Lights Stroll returns on the festival’s opening night, Thursday, Nov. 21.  The only evening of the seasonal event 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 in the heart of horse country, on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park.

Now in its 12th 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 “stroll.”  Visitors take in the Christmas Village, the Twelve Days of Christmas, Keeneland Race Track, Show Jumping, Steeplechase and the Spires of Churchill Downs – displays comprising thousands of twinkling lights.  New this year will be several Wizard of Oz light displays featuring favorite characters Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion, and the Wicked Witch.

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.

Registration is $20 for adults and $15 for kids 7-12.  Walk-up registration Nov. 21 begins at 5 p.m., and the stroll begins at 6:45 p.m.  Check-in is at the park’s Visitor Information Center.  The first 500 registered adults receive a free souvenir T-shirt, and the first 200 registered kids receive a free holiday souvenir.

All proceeds support the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.  The 2013 Shining Star Presenting Sponsor is Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Inc.; the Holly & Ivy Sponsors are Kerr Brothers and Cafe Press Inc.; and the Ribbons & Bows Sponsor is Kentucky Utilities.  Additional sponsors are Pepsi, SafetyTec, and John’s Run/Walk Shop.

The Southern Lights driving route will be open to vehicles from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly from Nov. 22 – Dec. 31, 2013.  The additional attractions inside the park will be open every night except Nov. 28 and Dec. 24-31.  The cost is $15 per car Sunday through Thursday evenings and $20 per car on Friday and Saturday nights.  More information is available by contacting the KHP Foundation at 859-255-5727 or at foundation@khpfoundation.org, or by visiting www.SouthernLightsKy.org or www.KyHorsePark.com.

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 (available on the widget on the right-hand side under Park Info/Address or at the top under Visitor Info), follow the brown highway signs or call ahead to double-check their route.  Additionally, we recommend that out-of-town visitors use Interstate 75, Exit 115 (Newtown Pike) instead of Exit 120 (Georgetown Road) to access the Southern Lights entrance at the KHP Campground to help avoid congestion and a left-hand turn across traffic into the park.

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 15,000 competition horses in more than 200 special events and horse shows in 2012.  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 found on-line at www.KyHorsePark.com, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

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

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