Railbird Music Festival Announces Inaugural Event for August 10-11
Middle Kentucky is getting a new festival promising A-list music acts, art, local cuisine and world-class bourbon in an iconic setting. To be held August 10-11, Railbird Music Festival will take place on the grounds of Keeneland, a historic racecourse in Lexington, where thousands of people are expected to attend.
Produced by AC Entertainment, the folks behind Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and Forecastle Festival in Louisville, the inaugural event will debut with a mix of rock, Americana, folk, bluegrass and more across multiple stages. This being Kentucky, bourbon will be featured prominently with a number of area distillers serving up exclusive offerings of the state’s most famous export.
Attendees can also enjoy craft beers, local cuisine and artisanal foods in a stately environment. Rather than hold the festival inside the racetrack, paddock or infield, the event will be take place in The Meadow, Keeneland’s outdoor concert space, and The Hill, its official tailgating area.
Railbird also helps fill the void created when the Moontower Music Festival, which graced Lexington for four years with top-drawer lineups, folded its tents after the 2017 edition due to financial difficulties.
Local businessman and Railbird co-producer David Helmers spearheaded the effort to bring together AC Entertainment, Keeneland, VisitLex, city officials, and business leaders to create a distinctly Lexington event. As noted in an official press release, Helmers said the festival will become a point of pride for the community, a tourism draw and a new driver for economic development.
The same press release quotes Ashley Capps, president of AC Entertainment saying, “With all of our festivals, we aspire to create an experience that stands apart from others – that is a true celebration of place, of the richness and uniqueness of a community. That, for us, is at the heart of any truly great festival experience. What a place this is, and what a team to collaborate with. This iconic setting at Keeneland in a city like Lexington, Kentucky, and these visionary leaders who make it all work, from bourbon to horses to bluegrass and everything in between. We couldn’t be more excited for this new venture.”
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Railbird will also be partnering with local nonprofits to give back to the community. Central Music Academy, Central Kentucky Riding For Hope, Fayette Alliance and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will each receive monetary support from the festival and will have an on-site presence there.
While the lineup and ticketing information has yet to be announced, the festival will offer a number of equine-focused experiences, excursions, dining options, off-track betting and more for VIP and general admission ticket holders. Look for more details to be released in the coming weeks. Click on the links below to learn more about Railbird Music Festival.