Railbird Festival kicks off at Keeneland Saturday

LEXINGTON, Ky, (WTVQ) — Saturday was the first day of the first ever Railbird Festival at the Keeneland Race tracks.

“Railbird is gonna change Lexington,” says festival goer Destin Hare.

The gates opened at noon Saturday for thousands of festival goers from all around the country.

“The sun is shining. It’s a beautiful day here at Keeneland and we’re excited. Gates are open, music is on and people are having a great time,” says Jeff Cuellar with AC Entertainment, the festival producer heading the event.

The entertainment group also puts on Bonaroo in Tenessee and Forecastle in Lousiville.

Organizers say Railbird is a first of its kind.

“It’s the first festival I’m aware of that you can drink a fine bourbon, watch the Raconteurs play the main stage while betting on the ponies,” says Cuellar.

Headliners Saturday include the Raconteurs, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Brandi Carlile.

“We look at it more like american roots music. So folk, americano, slipping a little into country, soul,” says Cuellar.

Festival goers say the line up is amazing.

“I’m very excited to see Saint Paul and the Broken Bones. But obviously Tyler. Every song he songs involves Kentucky so we have to be excited about that,” says Hare.

“He’s amazing, yeah,” chimes in festival goer Kayla Trickel.

Trickel says Hozier takes the cake.

“Every time I see him it’s breathtaking. I can’t talk about anyone else,” says Trickel.

The fun goes on until Sunday night.

You can come out then and see Eastern Kentucky native Tyler Childers, The Blackfoot Gypsies and Hozier.

AC Entertainment says it hopes to bring the festival back here for several years to come.