For University of Kentucky students, it's practically tradition to spend weekends in the fall or spring putting on our nicest dresses and blazers, rallying the troops, and making the journey to the happiest place on earth: Keeneland.
This August, Keeneland is featuring a new main attraction for a couple of days. The Railbird Music Festival, happening August 10th and 11th, features some big names in music, bourbon tasting, and equine excursions. Here's everything you need to know if you want to round out your summer with a bang.
According to the Railbird Music Festival's official website, "a railbird is a horse racing enthusiast known for sticking close to the action, hanging on the rail as each contender comes barreling down the track." Every aspect of Kentucky's immense culture will be represented at the festival, and Keeneland will be full of railbirds soaking in every minute. Hailing straight from the Bluegrass Capital of the world, Railbird is a perfect opportunity for people from all around to get a taste of a little bit of everything Kentucky is known for.
Although we pride ourselves on our men's basketball team here at UK, we're also fortunate enough to say that we may as well have bourbon running through our bloodstream.
As the music festival's website says, "Railbird just wouldn't be a Kentucky festival without Bourbon." Some of the Commonwealth's finest Bourbon will be up for tasting at the Rickhouse, just one of the perks of attending a festival in a state whose Bourbon is second to none.
Fans will be able to practice their betting skills on simulated races with the help of Keeneland's BETologists at the Lucky Day Plaza. For the equine enthusiasts out there, you will have the opportunity to explore the Keeneland grounds unlike watching any spring or fall meet. Tours of the entire track and even opportunities to experience the thoroughbreds' morning workouts firsthand will be offered at Railbird.
If the bourbon and horses haven't convinced you to buy a ticket yet, prepare to be taken to church by the concert lineup (pun intended). Headlining the Sunday shows are Hozier and Kentucky's own Tyler Childers. Saturday's lineup includes The Raconteurs, Brandi Carlile, Old Crow Medicine Show, and several more renowned acts that will make your experience unforgettable.
The Railbird Festival is truly every Kentuckian's dream. What more could one ask for? Every incredible aspect of our state will be wrapped up into two jam-packed days. There is no better way to showcase the Bluegrass State than a festival dedicated to our trifecta: Bourbon, horses, and music.
