GO FAST

Festivals of Speed is racing to Ocala’s World Equestrian Center on Derby weekend.

// BY MELISSA PETERSON

Fast cars and fast horses—that’s what’s in store for visitors to Ocala’s newly opened World Equestrian Center when they visit the rst weekend in May, known in horse circles as Derby weekend thanks to the timeliness of the Kentucky Derby.

Founded in 2004, Festivals of Speed provides upscale events for car enthusiasts and collectors of automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, yachts and luxury products. Operating only at properties that o er the nest accommodations and services, the newly opened World Equestrian Center in Ocala is the perfect backdrop to this event.

“The World Equestrian Center facility provides the ultimate experience in equestrian luxury,” says Joe Sabatini, president and founder of Festivals of Speed, “and now we have joined two great American passions: the equestrian sport and automobiles. Add to that the ultimate horse race and you have a celebration that has never been seen before. We are excited to see this facility come to fruition, and we are ready to have an exciting and festive event.”

Guests to the Ocala event can expect more than 250 cars on display, including automotive designs by Porsche, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston-Martin, McLaren and more. Cars will be displayed on the paved area surrounding the competition stadium in front of the hotel.

Beyond the cars, guests can enjoy ne wines and festive cocktails along with exciting culinary o erings from a multitude of cafes and restaurants located on-site. The World Equestrian Center hotel also features retail shopping, craft cocktail bars and more. You can check out the World Equestrian Center’s website to nd out what horse events will be happening at the facility during the Festivals of Speed event.

If you happen to own your own exotic, classic, muscle car or unique motorcycle, you’re in luck. Details on how to enter your car for judging or display only are located on the Festivals of Speed website. Both vintage and contemporary vehicles will be considered, which makes for an incredibly diverse show.

To kick o the weekend, the Luxury Lifestyle Cocktail Reception will take place on Friday, April 30 from 8-10:30pm. Promoted as the Ultimate Kentucky Derby Party, the event takes place inside the hotel. Guests will enjoy premium brand open bars serving craft cocktails, ne wines and unique spirits. Brand ambassadors will o er boutique spirits, including rare bourbon, aged scotch and more. Culinary pursuits include a variety of chefattended stations. While enjoying the evening, guests can admire displays of ne timepieces, jewels, art and more. Each guest will receive a VIP gift bag with a whiskey glass engraved with the Festivals of Speed logo. Tickets to the cocktail reception are $150 per person.

The main event will take place the following day, May 1, from 10am-4pm, and general admission is $20 person, with children 12 and under entering free of charge. You can upgrade your general admission ticket to the VIP option. This exclusive, VIP-only section will feature a fabulous culinary display with a cash bar. Each VIP guest will receive VIP credentials and a VIP gift bag. VIP tickets are $125 per person. There will be no cash sales at the gate due to COVID restrictions. Tickets can be purchased online, and the tickets will be emailed to you.

Festivals of Speed Thoroughbred Weekend

// April 30-May 1 // World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Avenue, Ocala // General admission tickets $20. Children 12 and under free. VIP section $125 per person. // Luxury Lifestyle Cocktail Reception $150 per person // festivalsofspeed.com // Learn more about Ocala’s World Equestrian Center at worldequestriancenter.com/ocala- .