Groundbreaking for New Facility to Kick Off Midwest Horse Fair April 11-13
MADISON, Wis. (Monday , April 7, 2014) – The 35th annual Midwest Horse Fair, one of the largest three-day horse fairs in the country, will kick off at 10 a.m. Friday, April 11, with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new, 290,000-square-foot multiuse arena space on the Alliant Energy Center grounds in Madison.
Breaking ground for the new building, which will be called New Holland Pavilions and will replace Alliant Energy Center’s aging barns, will be Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, along with representatives from the Midwest Horse Fair/Wisconsin Horse Council; the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection; World Dairy Expo; New Holland Construction and Agriculture; and Centerplate Catering.
“New Holland Pavilions will significantly improve the Midwest Horse Fair experience for those exhibiting, demonstrating and attending,” said Midwest Horse Fair General Manager Rhonda Reese. “They don’t look like barns at all; they’re amazing. We’ll be able to do so many new things that are just not possible with the current buildings.”
More than 50,000 people are expected to attend this weekend’s Midwest Horse Fair. The theme is “Horse Tales,” and exhibitors weave the theme into their demonstrations and performances for a unique experience each year.
Those who attend will enjoy breed and discipline demonstrations; entertainers, including the Ma’Ceo equine artists; clinics; an equine fashion show; horse judging competitions; World Championship Blacksmiths; an obstacle challenge; pony and carriage rides; and children’s activities. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Big Jake, the world’s tallest living horse, and Romulus, the world’s tallest donkey.
For the first time this year, there will be two evenings of PRCA Rodeo, presented by Nutrena and Blain’s Farm & Fleet. A separate ticket from the Horse Fair admission is required for each rodeo.
Eight barns will be open for touring. To guide future breeding decisions, mare owners have the opportunity to view stallions of all different breeds from around the Midwest in Stallion Avenue. Many different breeds of horses are represented during the breed demonstrations in the Coliseum. Hundreds of clinics, seminars and educational events are presented by some of the top horse professionals from around the country. More than 500 vendor booths offer shopping opportunities, with something for everyone.
“Whether you have horses or not, this year’s Midwest Horse Fair has something for everyone,” said Midwest Horse Fair General Manager Rhonda Reese. “From rodeo and acrobats to the World’s Tallest Horse, this weekend will truly be action-packed.”
For a complete schedule of Midwest Horse Fair events and activities, visit MidwestHorseFair.com, like its page at Facebook.com/midwesthorsefair, or follow it on Twitter (@MWHorseFair).
About the Midwest Horse Fair: The Horse Fair’s mission is to provide educational, promotional and networking opportunities to horse owners and enthusiasts, as well as introduce non-horse owners to the beauty and enjoyment of this magnificent animal while entertaining families and individuals of all ages. The Horse Fair is an event of the Wisconsin Horse Council. For details, visit MidwestHorseFair.com.
About the Wisconsin Horse Council: The Wisconsin Horse Council’s mission is to represent and to foster a unified equine industry of Wisconsin; to promote the equine through leadership, education, service and communication; and to take a pro-active role in the future growth and development of the equine industry. The council is responsible for organizing the Midwest Horse Fair, one of the largest three-day horse fairs in the U.S. For more information, visit WisconsinHorseCouncil.org.
