The 2022 Breeders' Cup Festival Week in Lexington features a series of events aimed to bring together locals and visitors alike in the days leading up to the main event at Keeneland. The week-long celebration kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 30, with the Isaac Murphy Art Garden Party and Family Stroll.
Participants have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of legends as they stroll from the Isaac Murphy Art Garden to Oliver Lewis Way along the newly-completed Town Branch Commons, a public-private trail system that follows Town Branch Creek through downtown Lexington.
Event sponsors include WKYT, LM Communications and the Ed Brown Society.
“The organizers of the festival really wanted to make sure that we used the Breeders' Cup Festival Week as an opportunity to bring the community together,” said Daryl Love, the Executive Director of the Ed Brown Society. “We have a lot of people coming in across the U.S. and around the world, but sometimes when it comes down to the actual event it may be unattainable for some people to get a ticket. We want them to be able to celebrate the rich tradition that we have within the Bluegrass State and also feel like they're a part of the activities.”
Whether participants walk, jog or run through the stroll, they can all return to the Isaac Murphy Art Garden, which is the first park in the U.S. to honor the earliest African American professional athletes, afterwards to enjoy food trucks, live music, kids activities and more.
“People will have the opportunity to learn about the early days of racing in Lexington,” Love said. “We'll have some of the famous Black jockey silks that kids can dress up in. It really is an opportunity for individuals from all across the community to come out and have fun.”
The free event begins at 2 p.m. and will go on until 6 p.m. The first 300 walkers will receive a commemorative long-sleeve T-shirt.
Love said that a celebration honoring the early African American jockeys is the perfect way to kick off Breeders' Cup week.
“One of the things that we always talk about is making sure that history is put in its proper context,” he explained. “As people are seeking to diversify in various industries, it's important to come back and understand the rich contributions that African Americans have made from the beginning as trainers, jockeys and owners. It's also important as we try to inspire the next generation.”
The Ed Brown Society will also be hosting an art exhibit at the Lyric Theatre from Nov. 2-6 that will feature local and national artists showcasing their equine-inspired art.
Breeders' Cup festivities will carry on all throughout the week in Lexington. Tandy Park will be the center of the Breeders' Cup celebration action downtown with live music, food and refreshments every evening from Monday through Saturday. Large video boards throughout the park will feature live racing coverage on Friday and Saturday.
For a full list of the events that make up the 2022 Breeders' Cup Festival Week, click here.
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