Festival of the Horse returns to downtown Georgetown with parades, music and vendors

The 45th Annual Best of the Bluegrass - Festival of the Horse runs Sept. 11-13 in downtown Georgetown, Kentucky, with free admission, live music, parades, food, vendors and family activities. This year’s event adds a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony tied to the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and a tightened parade rule banning candy throwing during the Children’s Parade.

Why it matters: - The Festival of the Horse is one of Georgetown’s biggest community events and brings three days of free programming to downtown. - The festival combines local business exposure, family activities, live music and civic ceremonies in one weekend. - This year’s schedule also adds a public remembrance marking the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.

What happened: - The 45th Annual Best of the Bluegrass - Festival of the Horse returns to Downtown Georgetown, Kentucky, Sept. 11-13, 2026. - The event includes Kentucky craft vendors, regional and local musicians, a craft beer garden, festival food, amusement rides and multiple parades. - The festival is free to attend. - The city says candy throwing will not be allowed during the Children’s Parade, and candy may only be handed out by walkers in the parade.

The details: - The festival features 66-plus vendor booths along Main Street. - Vendor offerings include handmade woodworking, crafts, jewelry, apparel, artistry and home décor. - Food and beverage vendors will serve gelato, brews, international cuisine, gourmet burgers, cocktails and mead. - Live music will run all weekend on the Country Boy Stage, with The Goodwin Brothers, Savannah Dean Reeves, Chris Linton and more. - A special remembrance ceremony is set for Friday, Sept. 11, at 3:45 p.m. on the Country Boy Brewing Stage. - Veterans are invited to join local public servants in leading the Colt & Filly Review Parade on Friday evening. - Michael Blowen and Little Brown of Old Friends will serve as Grand Marshals of the Grand Parade of Horses on Saturday evening. - Centerpoint Health’s Colt & Filly Review Parade takes place Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. and is billed as the largest parade in the county. - The Grand Parade of Horses presented by Family Wealth Group is scheduled for Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. - The Blessing of the Animals and Scott County Humane Society’s Pet Parade is scheduled for Sept. 13 at 1:30 p.m. - Street performers and roaming entertainment include The Kentucky Balloon Man and Sky’s the Limit Stilt Walking. - Fox Creek Amusements will place rides near the new Scott County Farmers Market Pavilion and in the parking lot between the Justice Building and the Scott County Attorney’s Office. - Bloom Lactation and Feeding will offer a private space for women and mothers at 104 North Hamilton. - The festival website is FestivaloftheHorse.org. - The festival contact number is 502-863-2547, and the email is gtownhorsefestival@gmail.com. - Sponsors include Country Boy Brewing, The Family Wealth Group, Centerpoint Health, Castle & Key Distillery, Peoples Bank, Celebrate Georgetown and the Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission.

Between the lines: - The parade rule on candy suggests organizers are trying to reduce safety risks and keep the Children’s Parade more controlled. - The 9/11 remembrance gives the festival a civic and reflective layer beyond entertainment. - The mix of vendors, music and family programming points to a broad push to draw both residents and visitors into downtown Georgetown.

What's next: - Festival organizers are promoting the live music lineup and other activities ahead of the Sept. 11-13 weekend. - The festival’s schedule will unfold Friday from 4-10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. - More information is available on the festival website and through its social channels, including festivalofthehorse on Facebook.

The bottom line: - Georgetown’s signature horse festival is back with free admission, a packed schedule and a remembrance event that adds meaning to the weekend.