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Governor, First Lady Announce Food Vendors and Featured Attractions at 75th Annual Governor’s Derby Celebration
Governor, First Lady Announce Food Vendors and Featured Attractions at 75 Annual Governor’s Derby Celebration
2002 Derby contender “Danthebluegrassman” to be on site for the event
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 11, 2011)—Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear today announced the addition of new, Kentucky-based food vendors and attractions at the Capital City Museum, including an appearance by a former Kentucky Derby contender, at this year’s Derby Celebration. The 2011 Governor’s Derby Celebration marks the event’s 75th anniversary and will take place on Saturday, May 7 in downtown Frankfort.
“It’s truly an honor to host visitors to the capital city for the 75th anniversary of the Governor’s Derby Celebration,” said Gov. Beshear. “While maintaining many traditions that folks have grown to love, we’re thrilled that this year’s event will bring new offerings. From a new location, to great food and exciting attractions, the 75th annual celebration is sure to be a memorable and fantastic fun family event.”
In January, Gov. Beshear announced that the 2011 Derby Celebration would move to downtown Frankfort. This new venue will save tax dollars while also supporting the local economy and providing visitors a chance to tour the state capital’s historic downtown district.
“Across the world, Kentucky is known for our signature Derby festivities and our time-honored display of hospitality,” said First Lady Jane Beshear. “As horse lovers, Steve and I especially look forward to putting on another unforgettable event and to welcoming guests from both near and far to our historic capital city.”
New Food Vendors
The Kentucky Pork Producers and Kentucky Beef Producers, along with a variety of unique downtown restaurants, will prepare and sell breakfast items to the public during the celebration.
This is a change from previous years when the Kentucky Parks Department has provided food for sale and is yet another way for the state to save valuable taxpayer money while supporting the local economy.
“We are delighted to participate in 2011 Governor’s Derby Celebration by preparing and providing food fare for visitors to the capital city,” said Franklin County Extension Agent Keenan Bishop. “It gives both our pork and beef producers the opportunity to represent Kentucky’s agricultural wealth and showcase the outstanding products our farmers provide to families across the Commonwealth every day.”
“The downtown Frankfort restaurants also are very excited to be a part of this celebration and look forward to serving their best Derby fare that morning to what we expect will be hundreds if not thousands of guests,” said Kelly Everman, executive director of Downtown Frankfort Inc. “With the addition of the Kentucky Pork and Beef Producers, there truly will be a multitude of great food options to suit every possible taste on Derby morning.”
Capital City Museum Attractions
With the Derby Celebration’s move to downtown Frankfort, the Capital City Museum will be an important participant in this year’s event and will be hosting many new and exciting attractions.
The main attraction will be Danthebluegrassman, a thoroughbred racehorse scheduled to run in the 2002 Kentucky Derby, but unfortunately scratched the morning of the race. After a long racing career, Danthebluegrassman currently resides at Old Friends horse retirement farm near Georgetown, Ky. He’ll be at the museum site from 8 a.m. to noon, giving visitors who are not attending the Derby a chance to see and have their photo taken with a true thoroughbred racehorse.
“We at the Capital City Museum are thrilled to be a part of this year’s celebration in downtown Frankfort,” said Nicky Hughes, curator of historic sites for the city of Frankfort. “We’re especially excited about bringing Danthebluegrassman downtown for the event. Not everyone has the privilege of meeting a champion thoroughbred and we’re so pleased to offer that unique opportunity to visitors this year.”
Other museum-hosted attractions will include performances by the Saxton’s Cornet Band, a Civil War brass band headquartered in Frankfort, and the opening of the museum’s newest facility, the Good Shepherd Center. The museum will also offer boat trips on the Nancy Wilkinson Kentucky River tour boat. Tours will begin at 9 a.m. The tour is free to the public, but reservations are required. For reservations or more information call 502.696.0607.
Follow Governor Beshear on Twitter @Govstevebeshear, read the Governor's personal notes on his blog at http://blog.governor.ky.gov/, and view the Governor's weekly YouTube commentary at http://www.youtube.com/governorbeshear.