By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-950223.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The World Equestrian Games are long gone, but the Spotlight Lexington festival that coincided with the sporting event is coming back for an encore.
The Spotlight Lexington Legacy Committee, a volunteer group looking at ways to keep the music festival going, announced Thursday that Spotlight will return to downtown September 23 through October 2.
"So we've shortened it up to a ten-day period, which we think will make it even more successful. We're looking at the physical layout to make it a little bit more compact and tighter as well," says Kip Cornett, chair of the Spotlight Lexington Legacy Committee.
The first event attracted some 200,000 spectators over 17 days. Cornett says the committee's budget this year is around $500,000.
"We're not going to go out and spend a million dollars on the Rolling Stones, even if we could get it, even though that might be fun. But we are looking to have a broad-based variety of local, regional, and national talent. I think that's very important."
Spotlight 2011 Lexington will be completely funded by private donations and sponsorships. Saint Joseph Health System has again been named the primary sponsor.