World Equestrian Games promotion tour swings through Whitley County

Local officials are hoping to capitalize on Kentucky’s international exposure from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games that will be held in Lexington at the Kentucky Horse Park Sept. 25 – Oct. 10.

Tourism officials from Corbin, Williamsburg, Whitley County, McCreary County and Tour SEKY purchased a full-page ad on the back cover of the 2010 Kentucky Official Visitor’s Guide.

The ad features a large photo of Cumberland Falls, as well as smaller pictures of local attractions, such as Sanders Café and Museum in Corbin, the Kentucky Splash Waterpark in Williamsburg, and the Big South Fork Scenic Railroad and natural arches in McCreary County.

Williamsburg Tourism Director Alvin Sharpe said he thinks the ad is an "eye catcher" that will get people’s attention.
"The big picture of the falls, when they see that, they will want to come back. I think it is going to be great for Corbin, London and us," he said.

Area residents got a chance to find out more about the much-anticipated games thanks in part to the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism, which is making a tour through 15 cities in eastern Kentucky this week, that included stops near Williamsburg and Corbin Thursday morning.

The purpose of the tour is to raise awareness of the event, which is expected to draw between 250,000 and 350,000 visitors to Kentucky.

This is the first time that the event is being held outside of Europe, and it will feature horses from 62 countries.

The equestrian games are held every four years, two years prior to the Olympic Games. Sponsored by Alltech, an international feed products company based in Kentucky, the games are attracting the world’s attention as tens of thousands of spectators from out-of-state and nearly 675 credentialed journalists converge on the horse park in Lexington for 16 days of competition starting Sept. 25.

NBC plans 6.5 hours of international broadcast coverage of the games as well.

"Literally all the eyes are going to be on us," noted J. Patrick Stipes, a state media specialist. "We are going to welcome the world and showcase Kentucky, and also extend a compelling invitation to return to see more. I think from a tourism standpoint and an economic development standpoint that is the greatest part of the whole thing."

Stipes said that in addition to the equestrian games the Kentucky Horse Park will also be featuring several pavilions designed to increase Kentucky’s exposure to visitors in hopes of getting them to return for future visits or possibly invest here.

The Kentucky Experience is an Epcot-like exhibition of Kentucky culture, which will be held in conjunction with the games at the Horse Park.

The Kentucky Experience, which is presented by Fifth Third Bank, is a visually impressive event showing casing unique attractions and natural wonders that Kentucky offers. The event will occupy 25,000 square feet encompassing five distinct areas, which include three pavilions plus the Welcome Center and a courtyard garden.

The Kentucky Experience will also feature a 14-foot mural of Cumberland Falls, which will be only one of two exhibits that will be larger than eight feet tall. The other is a replica of the spires at Churchill Downs.

"All parts of Kentucky are going to be exposed in a very positive way," Stipes noted.

Visitors can enjoy The Kentucky Experience even without having seats for the games by purchasing a single-day $25 grounds pass that also includes the Equine Village, the Alltech Experience and most attractions at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Sharpe said that southeastern Kentucky will probably see secondary affects from the games, such as people stopping to get gas and to eat. He said some visitors may end up staying in the area motels, and driving back and forth.

Sharpe noted that his son recently went to watch a practice round at The Masters in Augusta, Georgia, and that the closest motel room that he could find was an hour away.

"An hour and 30 minutes from here to Georgetown is no drive at all for a lot of these people," Sharpe said.

"I think the impact is going to be great because for a few days there will be people coming north from the south, and this will be the perfect place to get off," Sharpe said.

"They will see it on the way up, and if they don’t stop then, they will stop on the way back. I think it is going to have a tremendous impact on this area. From Williamsburg and north it is going to be great."