Tips and Tricks
To Surviving BreyerFest
Make sure that you
dress for the occasion. Kentucky is hot and humid in July and has a
tendency to have some storms, some of which might be severe. Make
sure that you wear layers in the morning, if you are cold, and make
sure to bring extra clothes and socks so that you are able to change
often. Sandals are somewhat frowned upon as you can sunburn your
feet and that makes for a miserable weekend, however, make sure that
you have comfortable footwear.
Make sure that you
bring sunscreen. BreyerFest is mostly outside and the sun can burn
even if you are not feeling overly hot. Reapply as often as you need
to.
Make sure that you
remember to drink plenty of fluids and eat some food during the day.
The heat can make you forget to drink or make you feel not hungry.
Even if it is a nibble of food, it is better than nothing.
If the heat bothers
you, make sure that you visit the museums as they are air
conditioned. Also consider purchasing a BreyerFest Lounge ticket to
get access to an air conditioned room to watch the Equine
Demonstrations. There are also several fans all over the area that
can help, including mist fans in many of the lines. Make sure that
you know your limits in the heat and the humidity.
Make sure that you
allot money for more than just models. Plan for a fund for your
food, gas, hotel, and whatever you need. In advance, we have a
BreyerFest Adjustable Estimate that you can use to help you
guesstimate what things will cost in advance. This is located in the
files and was put together just for this event.
Yes, you can store
models in your vehicle and in the amount of time that you are in the
Park, it will likely not warp. However, when you arrive at your
hotel or wherever you will be sleeping, make sure that you take the
models out of the vehicle. Lexington, Ky is not one of the safest
towns and cars have been broken into and models stolen in the past.
In the Park, the State Police roam the grounds and it is relatively
well protected. Keep in mind that some older horses that you might
purchase from collectors or the Covered Arena have a potential to
bloat or warp more than the newer models.
Don’t over plan
your day. Take time to enjoy BreyerFest, especially if this is your
first event. Standing in too many lines will quickly sour your
experience and will make this fun event seem like a chore. You have
tickets to get your Celebration or Single Day models so you can get
them any time over the weekend. You can also get your Celebration
Model in the Special Run Line to save on a bit of time. Try to plan
your Special Run Line times, if you get more than one, at different
times of the weekend so that you are not standing in line back to
back, unless that is what you wish to do. I like to get all of my
models on one certain day of the weekend and then I have the rest of
the time relax and see the horses, plastic or real.
Make sure that you
drink water often. You can easily get overheated and dehydrated in
the Kentucky weather. There is some amazing lemonade and last year,
there was a free water station where you could fill up water bottles.
Also make sure to take advantage of the snow cones.
Be sure to purchase
at least one Raffle Ticket. One dollar could potentially get you a
very rare model as it only takes one to win.
Check out the
Clarion. Take the shuttles to the Clarion from the Horse Park. The
parking at the Clarion is limited to Registered Hotel Guests only
this year. You might be able to find something that you have been
looking for at the Clarion that is cheaper than on the concourse at
the Covered Arena.
Make sure to plan
and order your favorite Special Run Models. There is a possibility
that by the time that you get into the tent, the model that you
wanted could be sold out for that time slot. Remember that even if it
sells out during your time slot, it might not be sold out for the
next one. This happens quite often, especially with the Surprise
models. Just relax and make sure you make a plan in advance. If you
are doing pickups, make sure that you tell your clients that this
could potentially happen and have a plan for them as well.
The Times:
Breyerfest is open from 9-4:30 Friday and Saturday and 9-3 on Sunday.
You can line up on Thursday for the Ninja Pit as early as noon, but
know that you will be watched by the police and park security. I do
recommend either getting there early on Friday or waiting until later
in the day to wait until the line dies down. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET
INTO THE LINE FOR THE NINJA PIT!!!! - this is a must to read. Again,
you do not have to get in line for the Ninja Pit. As you come up to
the Rolex gate, the official entry to Breyerfest, you will see a line
to the right as well. That line is for general admission and NOT THE
STORE. Please use that line if you are NOT going into the Ninja Pit.
The Wristband: You
may have noticed in your Breyerfest ticket packet, you have received
a wristband instead of buttons. This is new to us as well. We have
heard a rumor that buttons will be available at the event, but this
is NOT something that we know just yet. We do not know the reasoning
of why they moved to the wristbands, only that they are there.
Special Run Tickets:
Special Run tickets have their own file and the description of how
they work are in that file as well. You MUST get to the special run
tent 15 minutes before your time. You need to listen to what number
was called. Yes, it will be insane, but there will be people there to
help you. You MUST find your own spot in line, no one can help you
there. Once you are in line, you will get to go through the store in
20-30 people at a time. You can buy two horses, but they must be
different. Not two surprise horses. Not two animals, two different
ones. The surprise horse is a surprise until the first one is
purchased and opened outside of the line.
The Auction: The
Live Auction takes place AFTER Breyerfest ends. It takes place at the
Hall Of Champions near the covered arena. These are One Of A Kind
Pieces that will take thousands to purchase. It can be fun to watch.
I enjoyed it when I went and I would again, if I did not go to to the
evening show. The rules about purchasing the models will be explained
on site, but it works just like a livestock auction.
The Collector Club
Tent: The collector club tent is there to provide shade, water, fans,
and a sneak peak of models for those that are in the Collector Club.
Last year, you were required to re-register, but it is free if you
are in the Club.
Single Day Tickets:
THESE GO ON SALE AROUND MAY, not earlier. They might increase in
price, again, it is something that we do not know just yet. Last
year, they were $15 in advance and $18 at the gate. You receive ONE
stablemate PER ticket. If you want all four, please purchase four
single day tickets. These can be picked up at the Help Desk.
Food and Drinks: The
KHP and other vendors offer food and drinks at higher prices. We
always recommend to bring your own snacks and drinks and MAKE SURE
THAT YOU DRINK WATER!!! Kentucky is hot and humid and you will feel
it within a few minutes of being outside. Be sure to stay hydrated
and eat, even if you do not feel like it.
The Swap Meet at the
Clarion: You are required to reserve a table from Breyer. You cannot
just show up unless you want to shop. It is a busy event that draws
tons of people. Be sure that you really want to do this before
reserving a table as it does cost. Also, if you are not sure that you
will be able to make it, sit down and think about it before spending
the money on it. We cannot tell you what to do other than tell you
what we would do.
The Live Show: I do
NOT live show, but I do share all of the information that I can
related to the event. I highly suggest joining their yahoo group if
you have questions as we do not always know the answer to them.
The Contests: I
share the information on them, but we do not know all of the rules
about them. Between the admins, we have entered a couple of them, but
nothing to the extent of some of the people here. Ask questions, but
most people will not know the answers to this one.
A place to Charge
Your Phone! This was a question that I saw on another group and it
was answered there, but I am including the information here so that
people have access to it and that it does not get lost in the crowd.
The best places to charge your phone would be the Visitor’s Center
and the Museum. These places provide plenty of outlets, provided that
they are not currently in use and they provide air conditioning
inside of these areas. There are also outlets in the bathrooms of the
Covered Arena that can be used, but this place is rather humid and
hot. I have used it in an emergency when my phone was dying and I
needed to answer a call before making it to the other places. There
are also some outlets in the actual Covered Arena itself, but these
are mostly all taken and they are hard to find! I always recommend
bringing at least two of the portable chargers that you can recharge
overnight in the hotel room.
The Special Run Open
Line: Usually on Sunday, after the last Special Run ticket has gone
through, Breyer will open up the Special Run line to those that have
three day tickets but not special run tickets (I believe). This is
for an hour and the same rules still apply, two special runs of
different models per customer.
*Drink water! More
water than you have ever drank before and then drink more. You have
not drank enough water yet actually. But in all seriousness, you need
to stay hydrated and make sure that you try to stay away from coffee,
tea, soda, etc.
*Pack extra clothes.
The heat and the humidity do take a toll on the human body and you
will sweat like crazy! Make sure that you pack enough clothes,
especially socks to deal with this issue.
*Listen to the
locals and those that post here. The cheap places to eat are usually
the best. Some of the favorites include Waffle House, Red State BBQ,
Cracker Barrel, Subway, and the staple of course, McDonalds. Of
course, don’t forget Frisches and Gold Star Chili!
*Make sure to take
breaks. Breyerfest is overwhelming, I won’t lie. It is hot,
crowded, and an overload on the senses. Take a moment to sit down in
the shade and take a breather some times.
*Take snacks to the
park, if you do not feel like paying high prices for food. Food and
drinks are allowed at the park so make sure to take advantage of that
if you are looking to save money.
*Pets are permitted
at the Park, but I would recommend, along with several other people,
that they stay home or in the hotel. It is hot, they can burn, and
you never can dictate just how they will act. I understand the need
for support animals, but if they are not a support animal, they
should stay home.
*You do not have to
stand in line on the first day to get the Celebration Horse and the
Stablemates. Later on in the day, the lines thin out and you will get
them easier. Try to make the only line to stand in the Special Run
Line.
*The Ninja Pit is
NOT mandatory. You can arrive at the park and not stand in that
horrible long line to get into the park. The line to the right side
of the gate is for those that just want to get into the park or have
a special run ticket for the first thing in the morning. If you do
NOT want to get into the Breyer Store or the Pop Up Tent first thing
on Friday Morning, then make sure to stand to the right side.
*If you are doing
the Ninja Pit, please read the file that tells you about it, but rest
assured that you will NOT find anything special there much anymore.
Breyer is trying to do away with the idea of the Ninja Pit and they
say that they release the warehouse models all through out the
weekend.
*The Special Run
line is complicated and dramatic, but the file here is one of the
most comprehensive that you will find on the internet. Make sure to
read the file, talk to others, and read what Breyer sends you. The
line is easily understood once you have done it, but it is something
that you need to experience it before you completely understand it.
If you are still worried, I am always available at Breyerfest to help
you in the line itself.
*Stablemate Painting
is available and usually free for children 12 and under. I believe
that adults cost a dollar, but it literally changes over the weekend
and the availability of the models affects who is able to paint them.
But it is always there.
*Vendors vary and we
can only tell you what was there last year until the program is
released. That will NOT be released until two weeks or so before the
event. But there are always food vendors, lemonade, and of course,
model horse vendors. If you are a vendor, please let us know so that
we can be sure to visit you at the event.
·
Wear
closed-toe shoes, because of the different types of terrain
BreyerFest takes place on and you’ll be around lots of big horses.
· You do not need to wait on a long line to get your Celebration Model or Single-Day Stablemates models first thing on Friday. Models are available all weekend long. As well, guests can collect their Celebration Models DURING their Special Run ticket time in the Special Run tent before they check out.
· The KHP is very large and BreyerFest activities are fairly spread out, so plan to do a fair amount of walking. If you need mobility assistance, BreyerFest partners with ScootAround for scooter rentals that can be delivered to your home or hotel room.
· Be sure to read through the Guide to BreyerFest, even if you’ve been to BreyerFest a bunch of times before. Locations change and rules change as the event grows each year. As well, definitely take a look at the map, which indicates where things will be located for 2020’s event.
· Do not get on line for the main Breyer Store in the Covered Arena, the large pop-up store, or the Special Run line without checking your bags first. Bags larger and a Traditional scale model are not permitted in these stores and you could lose your place in line if you are asked by staff to check your bags before entering the store.
· You do not need to wait on a long line to get your Celebration Model or Single-Day Stablemates models first thing on Friday. Models are available all weekend long. As well, guests can collect their Celebration Models DURING their Special Run ticket time in the Special Run tent before they check out.
· The KHP is very large and BreyerFest activities are fairly spread out, so plan to do a fair amount of walking. If you need mobility assistance, BreyerFest partners with ScootAround for scooter rentals that can be delivered to your home or hotel room.
· Be sure to read through the Guide to BreyerFest, even if you’ve been to BreyerFest a bunch of times before. Locations change and rules change as the event grows each year. As well, definitely take a look at the map, which indicates where things will be located for 2020’s event.
· Do not get on line for the main Breyer Store in the Covered Arena, the large pop-up store, or the Special Run line without checking your bags first. Bags larger and a Traditional scale model are not permitted in these stores and you could lose your place in line if you are asked by staff to check your bags before entering the store.
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