Picnic With The Pops

This was my first Picnic with the Pops and I had a lovely time with the Unilocal crew. Although we did not take part in the table decorating contest, we had a lot of fun walking around and looking at everyone else’s decorations and costumes. We enjoyed wonderful food courtesy of Lyle’s Barbeque. My favorite items were the macaroni and cheese and the bread pudding. This was my first experience with Lyle’s and I definitely want visit the restaurant now.
My only complaint for the event is that most of the field was covered in cut grass which was very annoying to sit/​walk in, especially when trying to walk to your car in the pitch black darkness. Overall, I had a very nice time. Special thanks to our local Unilocal Ambassador Heather for doing such a great job organizing everything for us!

I have to admit that upon hearing the name of this festival, I had no interest in attending. I actually thought it was going to be literally a sandwich on a lawn with old men aka «POPS». Please note, this is not the case. Picnic With The Pops is a two night event that takes place every year inside Keeneland. You can buy general admission aka picnic blanket seating or you may purchase tables that seat up to 8 people. Either way you can hear and see the stage with ease from any location on the lawn. It is great for young and old alike.
The festival features the Lexington Philharmonic and a random guest (s). This year happened to feature Wycliffe Gordon and the theme was «Night on Bourbon Street». Why does the theme matter, you ask? Well, my kiddies, besides the tone of the music provided for the evening there is a table decorating contest based off this theme. This table decorating thing was serious. People brought in props and decorations and lavish place sittings. Just to deck out their table to be the chosen one. I was really impressed. There was even a table bribing people with voodoo cookies. Bribes I say, just kidding. The cookie was yummy. The winning 3 tables get their names announced and received a prize.
This being a picnic wouldn’t be legit without food and drink. The event provided a food truck and some drink vendors, but you were encouraged to BYOB. For those of you who aren’t familiar with that term, BYOB is Bring Your Own Booze or Juice as I like to say. Some people even opted to have their night catered. I went as a guest at the Unilocal table. I was fortunate enough to have Lyles BBQ cater for us. Chandler brought the food piping hot to our table and wished us a good evening before disappearing into the night. I would really recommend them for catering any event.
A few other things to note… You can’t get into the parking area without your ticket in your hot little hands, but the ticket takers will allow you to pull to the side and wait for your party. The next thing which I found awsome, the Boy Scouts and their little red wagons unloaded and delivered the coolers and decorations to the tables/​area. How awsome is that? The Boy Scouts! They didn’t even get a badge for it. Hats off to them for sure.
So if you like music and food while surround by friends and fun, get tickets next time you see them go on sale. It was a great time and great festival. I will more than likely attend again.

Had a great time at Picnic With the Pops thanks to Unilocal.Lyle’s Barbecue had some incredible food for us, including some incredible mac and cheese. The crowd was a lot of fun and people were generally letting loose and enjoying themselves. The only problem I had was the state of the field where the tables were set up. There was probably 5 inches of cut grass everywhere, making it hard to walk and kind of disgusting to sit in. I don’t know if it was poor planning or they just didn’t really think it mattered. It was a fun even, and I may go again in the future. I will definitely be going back to Lyle’s though, because the food was great!

Though this is a long standing tradition for many, my first Picnic with the Pops was in 2015. This is a two night event that features the Lexington Philharmonic playing music with a different theme each year. This year featured a New Orleans theme with music of Louis Armstrong.
There are tables available for attendees or open seating which is further back from the stage. Regardless of which you chose, it is easy to see the action on stage with the two large screens positioned on each side of the stage. The music projects well and the musicians put on a wonderful performance!
Prior to the band taking the stage I was able to check out some of the well decorated tables that many of the attendees had constructed. Most were a New Orleans theme and most were pretty elaborate. A few others took on current issues such as Center Pointe/​Center Pit. Awards are handed out for the best tables and the attendees take the table decorating very seriously.
A couple of other quick points. .. The event is BYOB, so feel free to bring alcohol or other beverages to enjoy. There were a couple of food trucks at the event providing food, though most brought their own. Lastly, there were boy scouts raising money for their local troops by transporting items for attendees from their car to table for a donation. They will also help transfer items back to the car after the event. Well worth it and it helps a great cause.
This was a great event and one I would recommend do everyone to enjoy!

This was my 1^st Picnic with Pops. I have friends that go every year and I now see why they go and why they out so much thought and effort into the event! The event is held on the grounds of Keeneland and there is open/​lawn seating for blankets and chairs but the real fun is with the tables. The tables are decorated based in the theme each year. The 2014 theme was The Songs of Elton John and so there were tables for various and sometimes obscure Elton John songs. Some groups even dressed in costume and planned their menu to complement their table theme which was very fun! Even if you don’t have a group to reserve a table, be sure you take time to walk around before the sun sets and check out all of the tables.
There is food and drink available for purchase at the event or you can bring in your own. I was lucky enough to have attended with the event with Unilocal and so our dinner was catered by Lyle’s BBQ. Chandler Lyle delivered it to us at Keeneland, which made it even more convenient! This was my 1^st time having their BBQ and it was fantastic. I especially liked the buns for the BBQ sandwiches.
This is a fantastic event and even if you don’t particularly care for the music of the theme, the Philharmonic caters to all playing a wide variety of music throughout the evening.

What a fantastic event. Last year was my first time attending & it was the perfect night for it. The atmosphere of listening to a concert outside is amazing. I hope to attend again this year and I can only hope our weather cooperates. I highly recommend this event!

Last year was the first time that I’d ever been to this long standing two day event. It’s an annual, outdoor event that’s been going on since the 80s. I can’t speak for other years, but both last year and this year, was/​is in mid August, on a Friday and Saturday evening. Both shows are the same exact shows. They have general admission (blanket) seating, and table seating that is purchased in groups of eight. You can decorate your table and there is a table decorating contest.
The event that was formerly held at the Horse Park, is now held near the Keene Barn at Keeneland. The gates open at 6 and the show starts at dusk and lasts until around 11:30. They have a few food, wine and beer vendors onsite, and you’re also allowed to bring your own food, wine and beer. Last year Lyle’s BBQ catered to our table. Chandler brought it right to our table and I could even see people from other surrounding tables gracing over at our scrumptious food. I highly recommend using them to cater for your group.
The event features live orchestra music by the Lexington Philharmonic and a special guest artist each year. The show last year was a Elton John like singer. People were dancing and having an absolute blast. There were a lot of Parrot Heads there, those folks know how to party. Many of the tables were decorated with themes from Elton John songs… they go all out, let me tell you. This year the show will be themed: Night on Bourbon Street: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong featuring Wycliffe Gordon.