2009 BOURBON COUNTY SECRETARIAT FESTIVAL

     September 26th marked the date for the 2009 renewal of the Secretariat Bourbon County Festival. Conceived as a way to honor the 1973 Triple Crown winner and Central Kentucky's most famous equine resident, this year the Festival hosted a wide range of activities for all ages. Located at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in historic Paris, Kentucky, the festival featured equine demonstrations & competitions, art, craft and memorabilia show, archival race film viewing, celebrity autograph signing, silent auction, Claiborne Farm tours and a variety of food and entertainment.

     New to the Festival for 2009 was a Miniature Horse Show and the Secretariat 5k Big Red Run/Walk through some of the most scenic areas in the heart of horse country. Of course the highlight of the day was the Secretariat Look-Alike contest where equine participants who most closely resembled Secretariat competed for $5000 in cash prizes.

2009 Secretariat Look-Alike Contest The 2009 Secretariat Look-Alike Contest was the signature event of this year's Bourbon County Secretariat Festival. The contest was judged by a distinguished panel of racing celebrities including Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte, Meadow Stable exercise riders Charlie Davis and Jim Gaffney, and Rusty Hendrickson, lead horse wrangler for the forthcoming Secretariat Walt Disney film. With cash prize awards totaling $5000 to the top three Big Red Look-Alikes, this was one special contest. Congratulations to Jessie Isaacs and this year's winner Bulls 'n Blood, a nine-year-old unraced great-grandson of Secretariat. Official Secretariat Festival Merchandise Enjoy a selection of unique event t-shirts and posters commemorating this year's celebration. Proceeds form the sale of festival items to benefit the Secretariat Foundation. 2009 Secretariat 5K Big Red Run/Walk Payment Complete List of Participants and Times   Full Event Schedule • 5k Big Red Run/Walk - Fairgrounds Main Entrance, registration 7:00 am, race starts at 8:00 am • Mounted Pony Competition, Front Field 10:00 am - 2:00 pm • Carriage Demonstration, Front Field 10:00 am - 2:00 pm • Miniature Horse Show in Sosby Arena 10:00 am - 3:00 pm • Re-Schooling Adoptable Horse Demonstration adjacent to the Bland Building 11:00 am - 3:00 pm • Claiborne Farm Tours departing every half hour from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm • Secretariat Foundation Archival Collection Silent Auction (bidding closes at 4:00 pm) • Secretariat Look-Alike Contest in Sosby Arena 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Throughout the Day • Secretariat Race Film Viewing in the Bland Building • Secretariat Gallery Equine Art and Memorabilia Show in the Main Exhibition Hall • Celebrity Autograph Signing in the Main Exhibition Hall beginning:     • 10:30 am - Secretariat's jockey Ron Turcotte     • 11:00 am - Secretariat's exercise riders Charlie Davis and Jim Gaffney     • 12:00 noon - Secretariat's owner Penny Chenery     • 12:00 noon - "Secretariat: Making of a Champion" author Bill Nack     • 12:00 noon - Kentucky Derby winning jockeys:                             • Jean Cruguet                             • Bobby Ussery                             • Mike Manganello • Food, Entertainment and Door Prizes

Click here to order Festival Poster