Georgia International Horse Park facts for kids
The Georgia International Horse Park, often called The Horse Park by people living nearby, is a special place located in Conyers, Georgia, United States. It's about 30 miles (50 km) east of Atlanta. This park is famous for hosting big events and has a cool history!
Contents
How the Horse Park Started
In the late 1980s, the area around Rockdale County, Georgia, was growing fast. Local leaders needed a new plan for managing wastewater. They found a large piece of land, about 1,139 acres (4.61 km2), that could be used.
At first, they thought about making it a city park. But then, something exciting happened! Atlanta was chosen to host the 1996 Summer Olympics on September 18, 1990. This changed everything. The land was now perfect for building a world-class facility for the Olympic Games. An expert team was formed to help develop the park, working with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG).
The plan for the Georgia International Horse Park was officially approved on October 21, 1991. It was ready to become an Olympic venue! You might also be interested to know that some outdoor scenes for the popular Netflix show Stranger Things were filmed right here at the park!
The 1996 Olympic Games at the Park
The Georgia International Horse Park played a big role in the 1996 Summer Olympics, which took place from July 19 to August 4. Over 600,000 people visited the park to watch amazing sports.
The park hosted events like horse riding competitions, exciting mountain biking races, and parts of the modern pentathlon. This multi-sport event includes riding horses and running.
Some athletes who competed here became very famous later. For example, Kateřina Neumannová raced in mountain biking in 1996. Ten years later, she won a gold medal in cross-country skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics! Another athlete, Michael R. Matz, won a silver medal in team show jumping. He later became a successful horse trainer, winning major races like the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and the Breeder's Cup.
Life After the Olympics
After the 1996 Summer Olympics, the area around the Georgia International Horse Park continued to grow. Many new homes were built, and the park itself became a busy place for all sorts of activities.
Today, the Horse Park is a multi-use facility. This means it hosts many different public events. You can find horse shows, fun festivals, fairs, dog shows, and even trade shows here. It's also a popular spot for concerts, obstacle course races, and mountain bike events. The park also offers beautiful spaces for private events like weddings and birthday parties.
Concerts and Music Events
The Horse Park has been a stage for many concerts over the years. The main arena, with its bleacher seating, is perfect for live music.
The Allman Brothers Band Concert (1997)
One of the first big concerts after the Olympics was by the legendary Southern rock band, the Allman Brothers Band. They played a long show on July 4, 1997. After their performance, everyone enjoyed a fantastic Independence Day fireworks display!
99X Big Day Out Festivals
Atlanta's Alternative rock radio station, 99X, held two "Big Day Out" music festivals at the Horse Park. These events brought many popular bands to the stage.
The first festival on September 28, 1997, featured bands like Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Goldfinger, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The second festival on September 12, 1998, included groups such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Better Than Ezra, Goo Goo Dolls, and Semisonic.
Celebrate Freedom Atlanta Concerts
The park also hosted the "Celebrate Freedom Atlanta" concerts in 2007 and 2008. These events featured music and speakers, including evangelist Luis Palau. They were sponsored by companies like Ford Motor Company and local radio stations. The 2007 event even had fun activities for kids, including the popular VeggieTales characters!
-
The main stage at Celebrate Freedom 2007.
-
A view of the park from the main stage during the event.
-
The VeggieTales characters, Mr. Lunt, Pa Grape, and Larry the Cucumber, on stage in costumes.
Exciting Sporting Events
Beyond horse events, the Georgia International Horse Park is a hub for outdoor sports. Its amazing trail system is perfect for mountain bike races, trail running, and challenging obstacle course races.
The Horse Park has hosted many well-known races. These include Spartan Race, Ragnar Trail Atlanta, Rugged Maniac, and Muddy Princess. These events test athletes with various obstacles and long distances, making for exciting competitions!
Georgia Perimeter College Plans
There were plans for Georgia Perimeter College to build a facility near the park by 2008. However, these plans did not work out. The college eventually built its new facility in Newton County, Georgia, instead.
