Sunday, September 9, 2001

Contact: Rusty Cheuvront (502) 564-2611 or Jen Waller, SGA, (859) 288-6154

September 10, 2001

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos of this and other SGA events are available for
downloading from this web address: http://sga.state.ky.us/

SGA Participants Enjoy Taste of Kentucky

After an opening session on Sept. 9 devoted to complex issues such as the South's New Economy, participants in the 67th annual meeting of the Southern Governors' Association in Lexington visited the Kentucky Horse Park in the evening to enjoy Kentucky hospitality.

Approximately 450 SGA conferees relaxed in the Steeplechase Barn amid the pastoral splendor of the world's only park devoted to the horse. As visitors entered the barn, greeters dressed in jockey silks handed out souvenir identification tags. Inside the massive wooden structure, displays of corn stalks, dried ears of corn, gourds and pumpkins evoked the approaching fall season. Garden lanterns of fall yellows, reds, and oranges hung from the rafters.

In the adjacent paddock, visitors chatted with costumed riders showing off some of the Horse Park's 50 breeds. Among them was a massive draft horse carrying a rider dressed in a knight's cape and helmet.

Another crowd favorite were the two miniature horses pulling a small, wooden carriage.

Meanwhile, back inside, Kentucky food products formed the foundation for a menu that included Kentucky paddlefish caviar; barbecued, Kentucky-raised fresh-water shrimp; fresh vegetables, and Shaker lemon pie. Dupree Catering Inc. of Lexington prepared the menu items.

Kentucky's native Bourbon whiskey industry also was represented at the event. Seven distillers offered tastings of their products in an adjoining tent. The labels represented were Jim Beam of Clermont,
Maker's Mark of Loretto, Woodford Reserve of Versailles, Four Roses and Wild Turkey of Lawrenceburg, Buffalo Trace of Frankfort and Heaven Hill of Bardstown.

Gov. Paul Patton, SGA's chairman and host for the annual meeting, joined with First Lady Judi Patton in welcoming guests to Kentucky. The visitors were entertained by "Newgrass" group The Storefront
Congregation of Louisville and The Original Torques', a '60s group from Lexington.

Hayrides provided visitors with leisurely, up-close tours of the 1,032-acre Horse Park.