Festival of the Horse

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Cultural & TraditionalGeorgetown
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe festival's renaming from Festival of the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Festival of the Horse in Georgetown

Best of the Bluegrass, formerly known as the Festival of the Horse, is a free three-day September event in downtown Georgetown, Kentucky, running continuously since the 1980s. It celebrates the region's Bluegrass horse-country heritage with live music, craft vendors, amusement rides, a parade, and a chili cook-off.

Georgetown, Kentucky, sits in the heart of the Bluegrass region, a landscape of white-fenced horse farms and rolling pastures that has made Kentucky synonymous with thoroughbred breeding worldwide.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's renaming from Festival of the Horse to Best of the Bluegrass reflects a broadening of scope, from a narrower focus on horse culture to a fuller celebration of everything the Bluegrass region represents, while still honoring Georgetown's identity within Kentucky's famed horse country

02

The mystery stays covered

Free admission has remained a constant across the festival's multi-decade run, a deliberate choice that keeps the event genuinely accessible to the whole community rather than a ticketed draw

03

The city starts moving

The mix of more than 70 craft vendors, live music on a dedicated stage, amusement rides, and a chili cook-off gives the festival a broad, all-ages appeal built around civic pride in downtown Georgetown rather than a single narrow theme

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's defining tradition is its celebration of Kentucky's Bluegrass horse-country heritage

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a theme rooted in Georgetown's identity within the broader region famous for thoroughbred farms

The sacred route

Living ritual

carried forward through the event's original Festival of the Horse name even as the festival itself has broadened under its current Best of the Bluegrass branding

The local code

Living ritual

The chili cook-off and corn hole tournament are recurring community-competition traditions that have become signature elements of the modern event

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Festival of the Horse, plan transport around the exact Georgetown venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual outdoor festival clothing. Mid-September in the Bluegrass region is generally mild, with warm afternoons and cooler evenings, so light layers work well for a multi-day event.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Festival of the Horse, stay near the part of Georgetown you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map30.63 N, 97.68 WOpen in Google Maps

Georgetown, KY

Nearest airportAUS — Austin Bergstrom
TransportFor Festival of the Horse, plan transport around the exact Georgetown venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Festival of the Horse, stay near the part of Georgetown you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Georgetown via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Georgetown, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor festival clothing. Mid-September in the Bluegrass region is generally mild, with warm afternoons and cooler evenings, so light layers work well for a multi-day event.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Festival of the Horse?

Festival of the Horse is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Festival of the Horse take place?

The festival is listed in Georgetown, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Georgetown, KY

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLusef.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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