Railbird Music Festival Announces Dates & Location For Inaugural Festival
By Ming Lee Newcomb Feb 21, 2019 • 10:47 am PST
A new multi-day music festival titled Railbird Festival will come to Lexington, Kentucky, this summer. Set for August 10th and 11th, the inaugural Railbird Festival will take place on The Grounds at Keeneland, an internationally renowned horse-racing track, and be produced by AC Entertainment, the masterminds behind events like Bonnaroo and Forecastle.
The festival draws its name from both concert and horse-racing traditions, with “railbirds” at racetracks known for sticking close to the action in the same way that front-row show attendees “ride the rail.” Organizers announced that the debut festival will host a mixture of rock, Americana, folk and bluegrass acts and promise “an unforgettable weekend of music, art and bourbon in a one-of-a-kind setting.” For those familiar with Keeneland, rather than taking place in within the track’s infield, Railbird will take over The Meadow and on The Hill surrounding Keeneland.
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As noted in a press release, the festival is a collaboration between AC Entertainment, Keeneland, VisitLex, local businesses and city officials, with the hopes the new festival will become “a point of pride for the community, a tourism draw, and a new driver for economic development and talent attraction.” Much like other Kentucky-based music festivals over the years, the event plans to highlight the state’s many bourbon distillers with exclusive offerings across the weekend. Artisanal vendors will also showcase local cuisine and craft beers.
As Ashley Capps, president of AC Entertainment, explained in a statement:
With all of our festivals, we aspire to create an experience that stands apart from others – that is a true celebration of place, of the richness and uniqueness of a community. … That, for us, is at the heart of any truly great festival experience. What a place this is, and what a team to collaborate with. This iconic setting at Keeneland in a city like Lexington, Kentucky, and these visionary leaders who make it all work, from bourbon to horses to bluegrass and everything in between. We couldn’t be more excited for this new venture.
Added Vince Gabbert, Keeneland vice president and chief operating officer:
Railbird will be a celebration of our heritage, and an up-close-and-personal Kentucky experience at our historic racecourse. … AC Entertainment brings an incredible track record and years of experience and expertise in booking and managing highly acclaimed music festivals, so we are so pleased to work with them to create Railbird here on the grounds at Keeneland.
The festival plans to offer both VIP and General Admission tickets, including “equine-focused experiences, excursions and meals, as well as off-track wagering, and more.” In keeping with the community-focused theme, Railbird will use partially use proceeds to give back to a number of local nonprofits, including Central Music Academy, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Fayette Alliance and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. More information about the lineup and ticketing will be announced in the coming weeks, with more information about the event available on Railbird Festival’s website.
