2011 Secretariat Festival
2011 BOURBON COUNTY SECRETARIAT FESTIVAL
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The last weekend in September, 2011 dawned bright and beautiful as the colors of autumn blended with Meadow Stable blue and white at the fourth annual Secretariat Festival at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Paris, KY.
Led off by the weekend’s Friday night Paris Art Walk on September 23rd, the Festival’s kick off featured the Maker’s Mark Party in the former JC Penney department store on Main Street. Festival sponsor Maker’s Mark Distillery and company President Rob Samuels – who graciously handled bartending service for the evening – offered up a sipping of their newest libation creation, the Big Red Drink, which was a hit among the over 21 set. Dotting the landscape of the exposed brick and wooden floor interior were customized and hand painted whiskey barrels, each with its own individual theme, artist and medium. Perched on top of each of these unique artistic works was a celebrity signed bottle of Maker’s Mark finest – the perfect accent to a Bourbon County celebration. The evening’s auction of the barrels and bottles co-hosted by commentators Dave Scheurich and Amy Hayes raised nearly $21,000 but one of the most memorable moments occurred when Secretariat’s luminary owner Penny Chenery, bid on and won the barrel lovingly created by students of the local high school and then promptly donated it back to the town for permanent display – a tribute to the enthusiasm, artistry and effort of all involved.
Saturday, September 24th ushered in perfect weather and a crowd estimated at nearly two-thousand for an exciting and full line up of Festival activities. Fans and families traveled in some cases thousand of miles from across the map just to celebrate Secretariat’s legend and legacy. Along with permanent fixtures on the schedule such as the Big Red Run (held this year at neighboring Adena Springs Farm), Claiborne Farm tours, the miniature horse show, and the breed specialty classes and exhibitions, special events included the induction of several more equine “stars” into Paris’ Walk of Fame and a dedication to John Sosby, honoring the legendary foreman of Claiborne and Bourbon County leader who passed away in 2011. Another new feature was the finale presentation showcasing one of Secretariat’s few remaining daughters, “Secretariat’s Fire” and her newest foal. The entertainment highlight had to be the debut of an original song by bluegrass artist Dale Pyatt and The ChickenGrease Band entitled “Run, Secretariat, Run” which – judging by the crowd reaction – should be well on its way up the charts.
The celebrity autographing session is always the marquee event and this year featured star power to rival the First Saturday in May. Penny Chenery headlined the action, signing for over four hours to accommodate every patient fan standing in lines stretching out the doors and down the road. Each and every fan had welcomed their opportunity to meet, chat and have a keepsake signed by the first lady of racing. In addition, Charlie Davis, Secretariat’s exercise rider and Kate Tweedy, Penny’s daughter and a celebrated author in her own right, completed “Team Secretariat.” Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte had planned to be at this year’s renewal but health issues prevented his participation. In a gesture that revealed the fans’ love and admiration for Secretariat’s jockey, a huge get well card designed and was put on display and garnered hundreds of signatures and good wishes for a speedy recovery. Standing in for Big Red’s rider were a few men who knew what it was like to ride a great horse of their own – Hall of Famers Pat Day, Laffit Pincay, Jr, and Chris McCarron as well as Triple Crown winning jockey Jean Cruguet and Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mike Manganello. All the distinguished racing celebrities were incredibly gracious and made every effort to personally greet and sign for fans throughout the day.
Throughout the Festival, the spectacular official 2011 Festival image of Secretariat created by Paris artist Laura Carson was on display. The complimentary decals and signed Festival posters representing this year’s gathering remain a cherished reminder of this “Big” Red letter day!
We hope to see you again in 2012!!!
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