Shopping at Breyerfest, the world's largest Breyer horse and model horse event in the world, has its own rules and customs. It is unlike any other trade show or collecting event you've ever experienced. Prepare to shop 'til you drop by using these handy tips and get the most from your Breyerfest shopping experience. Nowhere else in the world will you find such an array of model horses, accessories, and props for your model horse collection as you will at Breyerfest.
Shopping for Breyer Models: Kentucky Horse Park Areas
There are several places to shop for and purchase Breyer model horses at the event. Breyer sponsors the official Breyer Store where you can find horse models, Breyer-produced accessories, clothing and much more. It's also the place to pick up your Special Run model. Check the time on your Breyerfest ticket; Breyer tries to stagger the pickup times to avoid a huge crush of people at the store.
Another area to catch great sales is the Trade Fair, located on the concourse at the Kentucky Horse Park. Only authorized Breyer vendors are allowed to set up booths there, but many sell other model horse collectibles too.
Shopping at the Holiday Inn North: Room Sales
The Holiday Inn North is the official hotel of the show, and most hobbyists try to get a room at the hotel to be in the center of the events. Once you step inside the hotel, you're transported into perhaps the world's largest shopping spree for model horse collectors. Collectors open the doors to their rooms, erect shelves, and create elaborate displays. Models, props, dolls, jewelry, you name it and someone is selling it. Many people hang elaborate decorations on the doors to their rooms and the hallways are often festooned with blinking party lights, posters, and signs urging you to visit so-and-so's room for great sales.
Room sales can go on all day or all night, but most people begin opening their doors for sales and visits in the late afternoon, and keep their doors open until 10 or 11 at night. Don't be shy. Do take a walk around the Holiday Inn and get to know many of the people you've probably met online or corresponded with in the hobby.
A few hints for respectful mingling and mixing in the room sales area:
- The first floor is the busiest selling area, but don't neglect other floors of the hotel. You may find some overlooked sales. Look for signs or posters in the hallway from people advertising special sales.
- If you have a dog with you, leave it in your own room. Many collectors bring their pets to the event and keep them in their rooms. Nothing spells "chaos" like two dogs playing amidst a display of model horses.
- Don't eat, drink or smoke in anyone else's room.
- If the door is closed, do not enter.
- Do not leave purchases unattended.
- Watch small children carefully and do not let them wander off into the crowds.
- Use care, caution and common sense when visiting the hotel. Keep money and valuables guarded and watch your surroundings.
Artisans Hall and the Swap Meet
Two other shopping areas are at the Holiday Inn North and both are officially sanctioned Breyerfest events at the Holiday Inn North. Artisans Hall, held in one of the first floor ballrooms, provides collectors with the rare opportunity to shop from among the original Artist Resin model horses on the market. Artists display finely crafted original model horses, tack, carriages, rider dolls and more. Collectors can meet the artists and view resins they wish to buy in person. Artist Resins, tack, props, accessories and fine equine art are sold in this special area. Be careful when browsing as the room can get crowded and there are many breakables on display.
The Swap Meet is also held in one of the first floor ballrooms on the last night of Breyerfest and is a highlight of the event. Many collectors who specialize in rare and vintage Breyer model horses sell in this area. If you're looking to complete a collection based around a specific model or mold and you're just missing one vintage color, the Swap Meet is the place to find it!
Payment Methods
Most of the vendors and the official Breyer store accept cash and credit cards. Once you leave the Horse Park, be prepared to pay cash for most of your items, especially if you're buying from fellow collectors in the room sales at the Holiday Inn North or in Artisans Hall. Some Artisans Hall vendors also have credit card machines but many only accept cash.
While many vendors and fellow collectors set up laptop computers in their hotel room to facilitate PayPal access, a popular method of payment among model horse collectors, there are so many people trying to log into the hotel's internet access that connections are slow or difficult to obtain. The hotel's ATM machine and nearby ATM machines frequently run out of cash as the show wears on, so do not rely upon an ATM machine. Traveler's Cheques are a safe way to carry money with you and pay for items at the show.
Getting Your New Model Horses Home
Bring a soft-sided tote bag or disposal plastic grocery bags with you as you shop the room sales. Most collectors do bring bags or boxes, but just in case, you'll want a portable way to carry your new treasures back to your own hotel room. Breyer has in years past allowed the local UPS store to set up a kiosk in the hotel lobby, thus enabling collectors to pack and ship their purchases home and not worry about how they're going to get boxes of models onto the airplane or into the trunk of the car for the trip home.