ADA ACCESS AND ACCOMMODATIONS (subject to updates)
We want to make sure that all music lovers have access to the Railbird experience!
Getting There
Festival Location
Passenger Drop Off & Pick Up Location
Our official passenger drop off and pick up location is:
Accessible Parking
- There is limited accessible parking available on a first-come, first-served basis to vehicles displaying a state-issued handicapped plate or placard. Please follow the highway signage and enter Keeneland at Gate 2 and you will be directed to park in the ADA parking lot.
- Once parked, an accessible golf cart will be available to transport you to a spot closer the Festival entrance. The accessible carts run on a loop from the ADA parking lot to the Festival Elkhorn entrance only.
- When you depart the Festival, to take advantage of an accessible cart to return you to the accessible parking lot please go to the Box Office outside of the Elkhorn entrance.
- Please note-while the accessible carts run continuously, peak traffic times could have wait times as long as 30 minutes.
Accessible Shuttle Transportation
There are two convenient shuttle options to transport you to the Festival and all shuttles are fully accessible. SHUTTLE PASSES ARE NOT VALID FOR ENTRY TO THE FESTIVAL. All Shuttle Passes must be accompanied by a valid Festival wristband. Each Shuttle Pass is valid for (1) ONE Festival attendee. Passes much be purchased separately per day.
- Downtown Lexington - Shuttle Pass
- Catch a shuttle ride to Keeneland from Rupp Arena in Downtown Lexington on West High St between Paterson & S. Broadway! The Downtown Lexington
- The Downtown shuttle opens and begins parking/shuttling at 12:30 pm on Saturday and 11:30 am on Sunday. It will run continuously until 11:30 pm or until all shuttled ticket holders are transported off site.
- Once you depart the Downtown shuttle, an accessible golf cart will be available to transport you to a spot closer the Festival entrance. The accessible carts run on a loop from the shuttle parking to the Festival Elkhorn entrance only. When you depart the Festival, to take advantage of an accessible cart to return you to the shuttle drop off location please go to the Box Office outside of the Elkhorn entrance.
- While the accessible carts run continuously, peak traffic times could have wait times as long as 30 minutes.
- Lexington Airport "Park & Ride" Shuttle Pass
- Park your car at Lexington's Blue Grass Airport and catch a convenient shuttle ride to Keeneland right across the street! The 'Park & Ride' Shuttle Pass is valid for (1) ONE vehicle parking space at the airport with access to a shuttle running to and from the Festival each day.
- The Airport Park & Ride shuttle opens and begins parking/shuttling at 12:30 pm on Saturday and 11:30 am on Sunday. It will run continuously until 11:30 pm or until all shuttled ticket holders are transported off site.
- Once you depart the Downtown shuttle, an accessible golf cart will be available to transport you to a spot closer the Festival entrance. The accessible carts run on a loop from the shuttle parking to the Festival Elkhorn entrance only. When you depart the Festival, to take advantage of an accessible cart to return you to the shuttle drop off location please go to the Box Office outside of the Elkhorn entrance.
- While the accessible carts run continuously, peak traffic times could have wait times as long as 30 minutes.
Accessible Festival Entrance
There are specially designated lanes at the Festival entrances for patrons with disabilities. Look for the accessible signs above the entrance lanes or ask a staff member to direct you to the lanes.
ADA Accessibility Center (“Access Center”)
The Access Center will be located at next to the Medical Tent inside the festival grounds.
Our Access Center services include, but are not limited to:
- Answers to questions specific to the Accessibility Program
- Information relevant to our patrons with disabilities
- Requests for accessibility Wristbands
- Power outlets for recharging powered mobility devices
- Programming information in large print and braille for reference
Wristbands and Accessible Viewing Areas
All tickets to the Festival are general admission, purchasing an accessible ticket is not necessary.
Upon arrival, please visit the Access Center for information on the accessibility wristband program. Patrons with mobility impairments or Deaf/Hard of Hearing patrons can request an accessibility wristband at the Access Center. This wristband is to show Festival staff that the patron plus one companion is eligible to enter the accessible viewing areas or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferable.
Note: The wristband does not guarantee a spot in these areas. Please note that both viewing areas have a limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot save or reserve seats or areas on the platform. Once it’s determined that an accessible viewing area is filled to capacity (including adequate aisle space for entering and exiting the area), the area will not be available for additional entry.
Signage will be placed at the Festival identifying all viewing areas for patrons with mobility limitations and patrons who are Deaf / Hard of Hearing. Please visit the Access Center for a map of the festival grounds or the map on the official Festival app to see the designated accessible viewing locations.
Patrons with Mobility Limitations
The Festival is wheelchair accessible but is a large venue with great distances between activities and attractions. It is outdoors and across city streets and pathways. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud.
The Festival does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or push service of any kind or wheelchairs for rent or loan. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed only for use by patrons with mobility disabilities. For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Powered wheelchairs may also be charged at the Access Center. Patrons should bring all cords and accessories needed to charge their devices. Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit.
Accessible portable toilets are available at the ends of each bank of portable toilets throughout the Festival venue.
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretated Performances
The Festival provides many American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted music performances for patrons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Please email access@railbirdfest.comrequest a specific performance be interpreted. We ask that you make a request as soon as possible to allow adequate time to prepare. We will make every effort to accommodate, but cannot guarantee, requests not timely submitted.
Special Dietary Needs and Prescription Medicine
Outside food and drink is not allowed inside the Festival, but if a patron has special medical dietary restrictions, items will be allowed.
Patrons are allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications into the Festival, provided that all medicine has a prescription label with the patron’s name. Our personnel at the entry gates will verify the contents of any medically necessary materials. Out of concern for the Festival staff who handle the trash, please dispose of your medical waste and syringes in the proper disposal, which is located at the medical tent. Please see the official Festival map for the location of the medical tent. Please do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the Festival.
Service Animals
Pets are not allowed within the Festival grounds. However, miniature horses and dogs, which have been trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability, are welcome. If accompanied by a service animal, you will be provided a Patron Notice of Responsibility for a Service Animal at the Info Booth/Access Center. Please enter through the accessible lane at either entrance.
Have Questions About Our ADA Access & Accommodations?
For any questions, please email: access@railbirdfest.com