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2004 If you have questions or need assistance, call Niki Heichelbech at (800)848-1224 or (859) 244-7707 or email lexmedia@visitlex.com Click here to access the main archives page. December 1, 2004 December 13 Declared National Day of the Horse November 24, 2004 Keeneland Sales Pavilion Expansion, Renovation Begins August 3 2004 Equus Run Vineyards Chosen as One of 16 Hidden Treasures of the U.S. July 9, 2004 Root & Heritage Festival chosen as a Kentucky Tourism Council Top Ten fall event. July 7, 2004 Lexington Junior League Horse Show wins Southeast Tourism Top 20 Event Competition. May 7, 2004 Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau Hosts Meeting Planner FAM Tours April 15, 2004 Bluegrass Region Celebrates Take Pride in the Bluegrass, May 8-16, 2004 April 13, 2004 First Security Bank Woodland Arts Fair February, 18, 2004 Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau Honors Click here to access the archives. December 1, 2004 December 13th Declared National Day of the Horse The Senate unanimously passed Resolution 452 at the end of November which states, "A Resolution designating December 13 th , 2004 as The National Day of the Horse and encouraging people of the United States to be mindful of the contribution of horses to economy, history and character of the United States." Source: Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau ### November 30, 2004 Equus Run Vineyards, LLC Awarded United States Department of Agriculture Value Added Producer Grant Midway, KY: United States Department of Agriculture officials will unite at Equus Run Vineyards on Friday, December 03, at 1:30 p.m. to announce the awarding of a USDA Value-Added Producer Grant to the winery and vineyard. The $147,200 matching funds grant will aid in the development and implementation of a domestic market expansion of Kentucky produced value-added wine products outside the Commonwealth into emerging ethnic consumer groups. The grant will be used over a one year term to develop, support and market a new and innovative wine product package, locally produced and released, in one targeted wine market region with direct market penetration into three under-served ethnic consumer groups. In addition to establishing new wine products, this project will, in turn, impact positive consumer attitudes and awareness about Kentucky value-added product quality and availability. Further benefits include increasing Kentucky agri-tourism development and revenue for positive economic results. By achieving the goals of the project, new interstate consumers will be connected with Kentucky value-added wine products from "soil to shelf." USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grants are designed to help farmers increase their economic opportunities through the development of new products and markets for agriculturally based products. Authorized as a part of the 2002 Farm Bill, the Value-Added Producer Grants, originally called Value-Added Product Market Grants, also provide an opportunity to refine agricultural commodities and products to increase their value in the global market place. For more information contact: Maury Sparrow, 859-846-9463 ### November 24, 2004 Keeneland Sales Pavilion Expansion, Renovation Begins Lexington , KY : Site work has started and construction will begin soon on the expansion and renovation of Keeneland's sales pavilion. Scheduled for completion in August, the work will be done in three phases so it will not interfere with the sales scheduled at Keeneland during the first eight months of 2005. ### August 17, 2004 Lexington and the Bluegrass Region Welcome Kentucky Derby and Preakness Winner, SMARTY JONES . The Bluegrass Region is proud to welcome champion SMARTY JONES to Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, KY. He arrived on the farm the morning of August 16 th and is settling into his new home; the same stall that housed1977 Triple Crown winner SEATTLE SLEW . SMARTY JONES joins an impressive stallion line up including: 2001 North American Horse of the Year, POINT GIVEN ; 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, SILVER CHARM and Breeder’s Cup Mile winner, WAR CHANT; and the first Breeders Cup Classic Winner, WILD AGAIN. SMARTY JONES was bred at Gainsborough Farm--just down the road from his new home. He was part of the second foal crop by ELUSIVE QUALITY . Three Chimneys Farm is open to the public and offers four tours per week by appointment only. ### August 3, 2004 Equus Run Vineyards Chosen as One of 16 Hidden Treasures of the U.S. Equus Run Vineyards in historic Midway, KY, has been chosen by CNN.com and CNN TV as one of 16 Hidden Treasures of the United States “Forget the lights of Las Vegas. Look past the Big Apple’s mouth-watering sights. Distinctive destinations abound in the United States, far beyond the perennial favorites.” CNN.com/2004/TRAVEL-May, 19 2004 Watch for a feature on Equus Run Vineyards and our Concerts at the Vineyard series this Saturday, August 07, on your local CNN television station. Air times are scheduled for the 8am – 9am slot on CNN Saturday Morning and again for the 4pm – 4:30pm slot on CNN Live Saturday . For more information contact: Maury Sparrow , 859-846-9463 ## July 29, 2004 Lexington Center Celebrates its Completion of Construction with a Weeklong Showcase of Exciting Events Elephants, Chickens, Dancing Cowboys and Clowns join the lineup! LEXINGTON, KY – The pleasing curves of a reborn Lexington Center signal a new wave of excitement in downtown Lexington. On September 20, 2004, the Lexington Center will throw open its doors to the community and, with a thrilling week packed with a full range of activities, officially declare the completion of its four year renovation project. “After nearly four years of planning and enduring all of the challenges and frustrations that go along with continuing operations in the midst of a construction project, it is absolutely exhilarating to declare the Lexington Center expansion and renovation finished. The doors are open and we welcome the public to come down and experience firsthand Central Kentucky’s premier Convention, Sports and Entertainment Complex!,” said Bill Owen, President and CEO. The weeklong schedule of activities kicks off on Monday, September 20 at 10:00 a.m. with a press conference and public dedication of the building. The first official tour of the new building, featuring the new Convention space, new Arena concourses and Arena backstage including the new UK Locker Room will immediately follow the press conference at 10:45 a.m. On Tuesday, September 21, a public tour of the new building will begin at the Rupp Arena High St. lobby at noon. The new Convention Space will be featured with limited Arena access. The Shops at Lexington Center will host an Open House on Wednesday, September 22 with special mall promotions, in-store guests and demonstrations as well as a “Meet and Greet” with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clowns from 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. A “Come Dressed as Your Favorite Clown” Contest will take place from 5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. with the winning entrant invited to join the circus for a night of clowning in costume during the opening parade at the “Greatest Show on Earth’s” Opening Night. WKYT-TV and 98-1 The Bull have made it possible to purchase $10.00 tickets to the Opening Night performance on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. In addition, The Downtown Lexington Corporation will host a “Search the Center” Lunchtime Scavenger Hunt from 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m. Corporate Teams of 5-6 people (must be members of the DLC or Lexington Chamber of Commerce) are invited to participate. Call 231-7335 to register or for more information. On Thursday, September 23, the UK Basketball Museum will host a “Meet and Greet” with the legends of UK Basketball. From 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., WXRA’s “Joe B. and Denny Show” will broadcast live from the museum with past UK Basketball players on hand to sign autographs. Friday, come out and join us for “Lunch with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Elephants” in Triangle Park at 1:00 p.m. Across Vine Street, in the Food Court at the Shops at Lexington Center, you can join the casts of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Broadway LIVE season opener, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” for a lunch hour line-dancing demonstration. Too chicken to dance with the pros? Stick around for the open casting call of “Poultry Extras.” Local live chickens are needed for the national touring production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” As it says in the technical rider, “This is ‘no yolk.’” Call 233-4567 ext. 3286 for details about auditioning your chicken. After the show Friday, Broadway LIVE ticket holders can meet the performers in Hyatt’s Upper Glass Garden area for a cast party. Additionally, the Kentucky Science and Technology’s Idea Festival will be presenting The Creative Habit, a lecture by New York Choreographer/Author Twyla Tharp in the Bluegrass Ballroom from 6:30 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. On Saturday, September 25, the festivities continue with three performances of the circus in Rupp Arena, two Broadway LIVE performances at the Opera House and an Idea Festival event featuring Sir George Martin, also known as “The Fifth Beatle,” who will present his multimedia show about the making of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in the Bluegrass Ballroom. A closing celebration, featuring the local band “The Johnson Brothers,” will be held in the Bluegrass Prefunction area immediately following the presentation. On Sunday, September 26, the Lexington Center will be a featured site on the Downtown Development Authority’s Urban Life & Style Tour from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The tour will feature downtown residential and business spaces and Lexington Center’s north Rotunda, Thoroughbred lobby and Arena lobby will be open to the public. This special weeklong schedule of events is designed to showcase the extensive range of events and functions the Lexington Center is now prepared to host. Unless noted otherwise, all events are public ticketed events. Admission required for entry. For more information, call (859) 233-4567. ### July 9, 2004 Roots & Heritage Festival chosen as a Kentucky Tourism Council Top Ten fall event The Roots & Heritage Festival was recently chosen by the Kentucky Tourism Council as a "Top Ten" Fall event winner. The Roots & Heritage Festival began in 1989 as a small neighborhood street fair and has grown to be a major cultural event. A wide variety of exciting, culturally enriching activities attract thousands of festival goers to downtown Lexing ton each year. This year, activities and events are scheduled from September 10-26 with the two day street festival kicking off the event on September 10 th and 11 th . A panel of impartial judges selects the Kentucky Tourism Council “Top Ten” Events for each season. Criteria for selection include popularity of the event, its impact on the local tourism economy as well as cultural and historical significance. Source: Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau ### July 7, 2004 Lexington Junior League Horse Show wins Southeast Tourism Top 20 Event Competition Lexing ton, KY: The Lexing ton Junior League Horse Show was recently chosen as one of the Southeastern Tourism Top 20 Event winners. The annual event takes place each July at the Red Mile Harness Track; this year the dates are July 12-17. The Lexing ton Junior League Horse Show is the world’s largest outdoor Saddlebred Horse Show and the first leg of the Saddlebred Triple Crown. The prestige of “winning at Lexing ton ” and $70,000 in prize money attracts nearly 1,000 competitors to the show each year. The weeklong competition attracts around 30,000 spectators and 900 exhibitors from across the United States and Canada. The horse show is the main fundraiser for the Lexing ton Junior League. Since the show’s beginning in 1937 the Junior League has raised over 3 million dollars for the benefit of charitable organizations in Lexing ton. Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society (www.southeasttourism.org) is dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism in its member states. The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, hotels, convention and visitors bureaus, airlines, bus companies, newspapers and other travel related organizations. Through a nomination process, the Southeast Tourism Society chooses the Top 20 events going on in the Southeast for each month of the year, and publishes this list of winners quarterly. To be nominated for a Top 20 Event, an event must be at least in its 3rd year and must have a minimum attendance of 1000. Source: Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau ### May 7, 2004 Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau Hosts Meeting Planner FAM Tours Lexing ton, KY: The Lexing ton Convention and Visitors Bureau recently hosted several meeting planners and plans to host additional tours in October of 2004 and April of 2005. Attendees from the most recent FAM included meeting planners representing the Environmental Protection Agency, North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, the US Department of Agriculture, American Baptist Association, Church of Christ Written in Heaven, Municipal Waste Management Association and American Meetings & Events, Inc. Planners were invited to attend based on their interest in Lexing ton , KY as a possible destination for their groups’ future meetings or conventions. The Lexing ton Convention and Visitors Bureau worked closely with industry partners to organize the trip. The Meeting Planners were hosted by the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort. Their three day itinerary included a tour of the first class facilities at the newly renovated Lexing ton Convention Center in addition to breakfast and lunch appointments at the Radisson Plaza Hotel and the Embassy Suites. The meeting planners were also exposed to some of the unique entertainment possibilities for convention attendees. They attended an afternoon of thoroughbred racing at Keeneland Race Course, were treated to a horse farm tour, visited the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexing ton ’s number one attraction, and had a special dinner and tour at the Woodford Reserve Distillery. During their stay in the Bluegrass , the meeting planners had a chance to experience what it is like to hold a meeting in Lexing ton. When asked to comment on their experience, one of the meeting planners mentioned that the size of the FAM was exceptional and because it was limited to ten people they didn’t feel they were lost in a big crowd in a city. Candice Chaffin , Director of Sales, responded by saying “that is precisely what is great about having a meeting in Lexing ton….you’re the center of attention while you’re here. Our goal is to make sure every group knows that we are excited to share our beautiful city with them for the time they are here. The Lexing ton Convention and Visitors Bureau recruits meetings and conventions of all types and sizes. If you are a meeting planner with a request for proposal and would like to attend one of the upcoming meeting planner FAM tours please contact Candice Chaffin , Director of Sales, at 800-848-1224. Source: Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau ### April 15, 2004 Bluegrass Region Celebrates Take Pride in the Bluegrass, May 8-16, 2004 Lexington , KY : The Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau is spearheading a major initiative to foster pride among the citizens of the Bluegrass Region. Take Pride in the Bluegrass week, to be held May 8-16, will highlight all attractions in the Region, with a special focus on the role historic preservation plays in our tourism product. This week coincides with National Tourism Week and the local preservation community celebration of National Preservation Week. In an effort to raise awareness about the wonderful tourism opportunities in the Region, nearly forty Bluegrass area attractions are offering free admission and others will offer discounts. Specially designed “Bluegrass Passports” will be available at participating venues for local citizens to pick up and take with them to present at area attractions for free admission. All participants will be listed in a Lexington Herald-Leader pull-out section the week prior to Take Pride in the Bluegrass . Regarding Take Pride in the Bluegrass week, Lexington Mayor Teresa Ann Isaac said, "I urge citizens throughout the region to take time and enjoy our rich history by participating in all of the events and activities that make our city and all of the areas in the Bluegrass Region special places to visit." Area attractions have created a number of exciting events. Some of the special events include Jammin’ with the Cats; Horsey Bunch Brunch; Arts Crafts and Cuisine; Bourbon, Wines and Bloodlines; Twilight Tour and Dine at Shaker Village ; and a Brewery Tour with Dinner. As horse capital of the world, it is important to expose local citizens to the farms that earned Lexington this designation. A series of guided bus tours to local horse farms will be offered throughout the week at an affordable price. The LFUCG Historic Preservation Commission is coordinating events including walking tours of historic Gratz Park, guided tours of the Lexington History Museum, a tour of the newly renovated Loudoun House, and a skyline tour of Lexington from atop the 5/3 Bank building. Many Lexington hotels are offering special reduced rates to encourage local residents to experience Lexington’s hospitality product. Source: Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau ### April 13, 2004 First Security Bank Woodland Arts Fair Frankfort, KY, April 13, 2004 – The Kentucky Tourism Council has selected the First Security Bank Woodland Arts Fair as one of the Commonwealth’s summer “Top Ten” events. Woodland Park, in Lexing ton has become a venue filled with over 160 artists & craftspersons selling unique, handcrafted items that include wood crafts, pottery, stained & blown glass, oil, watercolor & acrylic paintings, photography, fiber works and lots more. Held August 21-22 and hosting 200 artists, it has been voted as one of America’s top 200 art fairs. A panel of impartial judges selects the Kentucky Tourism Council “Top Ten” Events for each season. Criteria for selection include popularity of the event, its impact on the local tourism economy as well as cultural and historical significance. Source: Kentucky Tourism Council ### March 23, 2004 Several Central Kentucky Entities to Launch Inaugural Best of the Bluegrass Celebration The week-long festival of events, scheduled April 4 through April 11, will salute the Bluegrass region’s unique culture, showcasing everything from horse racing to the arts to bourbon. The week’s events will culminate with the 80th running of the Grade 1 $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday, April 10—a top Kentucky Derby prep race. "The Bluegrass region has so many unique and wonderful cultural aspects that we thought it would be a great idea to showcase them under the umbrella of a festival," said Jim Clark, President and CEO of the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council and one of the event’s organizers. As the host of the various events, city officials welcome the chance to highlight Lexington. "This is a great opportunity to spotlight our city, especially our downtown where a number of the events will take place," said Mayor Teresa Isaac. "It has been gratifying to see various groups working together to promote our region and make this festival a reality." David Lord, president of the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, believes that the wide array of activities showcased in the festival will appeal to many audiences. "The festival events are really diverse," Lord said. "We expect to appeal to people from all over the country and from all walks of life—music lovers, bourbon aficionados, sports fans. There’s a whole lot of fun packed into just a few days." February 18, 2004 Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau Honors Hometown Hosts Lexington , KY-- The Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau honored the first award recipients of the Hometown Host program last night at a reception in the Bluegrass Ballroom at the Lexington Center . The Hometown Host program, recently developed by the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, encourages Lexingtonians to bring meetings of their associations and groups home to Lexington . Recipients were awarded with a specially designed barn coat symbolizing Lexington , KY and our incredible horse industry. During his opening remarks, Mr. David Lord, President of the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the barn coat “symbolizes hard work, dedication to excellence, quality and the fact that sometimes you have to get up early and stay up late to get the job done. Not much different than the job you took on in hosting, or bidding, or politicking to get your meeting here.” In addition, Mr. Lord said “by being a Hometown Host , you have made a difference in the economy and showcased all that makes Lexington and the Bluegrass special”. Eighteen individuals were honored for their role in bringing fourteen meetings representing 37,100 room nights to Lexington . The organizations of the individuals honored include University of Kentucky , African-American Forum, Kentucky Rural Letter Carriers Association, American Public Works Association, USS Lexington, Memorial Sports Complex, Lexington Herald-Leader, Corvair Society of America , USS Magoffin APA 199, Daughters of the Nile , Lexington Division of Police, Lexington Community College , Urban County Council and the Midwest Entertainment Industry. For more information about the Hometown Host program visit our website at www.visitlex.com . Contact: Candice Chaffin, Vice President Sales. (859)233-1221 ### February 12, 2004 Lexington Antiques and Garden Show Chosen as a Kentucky Tourism Council Top Ten Event Frankfort , Kentucky , February 12, 2004 – The Kentucky Tourism Council has selected the Lexington Antiques and Garden Show as one of the Commonwealth’s “Top Ten” events. This year’s theme for the seventh annual Lexington Antiques and Garden Show is “Classic American Style” inspired by the Senator John and Eliza Pope Villa in Lexington. Held annually at Historic Keene Barn, Keeneland, more than 50 nationally known antiques and gardening specialists will participate in the show. This year’s event will be March 12-14 and is the second year for a garden tent with 7,000 square feet of gardens, design and landscaping ideas. A panel of impartial judges selects the Kentucky Tourism Council “Top Ten” Events for each season. Criteria for selection include popularity of the event, its impact on the local tourism economy as well as cultural and historical significance. The Kentucky Tourism Council is a 460 member statewide association representing all sectors of the state’s travel industry. The council’s mission is to unite Kentucky ’s third largest industry through governmental interaction, communication and education Source: Kentucky Tourism Council ###
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©
2008Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau
301 East Vine Street
Lexington, KY 40507-1513
Visitor Info: 1-800-845-3959 or 859-233-7299
Group Info: 1-800-848-1224 or 859-233-1221