"Get Yer Tickets Now!"

Today is the day - tickets for BreyerFest 2026 go on sale. Breyer's email did not list a time but said it would be in the afternoon and to check back. 

Ironically, I had a blog post in the works for today about all the BreyerFest models Breyer has revealed so far. 

Corgi Hill Flinka, the 2016 Celebration Horse.

I've bumped that and will post it in a day or two.

I've never bought my tickets early, especially since Breyer became a hybrid event with an online component. Why? Well, I have hoped against hope that I would be able to go in person as I have in years past, and I would be waiting as the event got closer to see how my health was. For the past five years, I have not been up to going and ended up buying the online ticket just before tickets sales closed.

This year, I'm not even questioning it. In-person BreyerFest, with the heat and the crowds and the walking is no longer possible for me. I've accepted that, and while it makes me sad, I have come to love the online aspect of it and have my own routine for the event that I really enjoy. (And in air conditioned comfort, too!)

 And so, I will be buying my tickets today, and I am excited about that. Last year, for the first time ever, I bought more than one ticket. It seemed logical, seeing as I was saving a lot of money on gas, motels, and restaurants.

My plan today is to do that again, although I am still thinking about how that is going to look.

At this point I am leaning toward buying two Online Traditional tickets. I don't want any of the Limited Editions but I do want a couple of the Special Runs so it makes sense to get two of those as opposed to one Online Traditional and one online Stablemates ticket. (Sorry this screenshot is so tiny.)

If you will be going in person to BreyerFest, here are your ticket choices.

There has been some chatter online about the $1,000 cost for the VIP ticket. Some people are appalled, but others say it is actually reasonable for what you receive.

Regardless, it is certainly a benchmark of a sorts, a price that has not been asked before for any of Breyer's events and one that is out of many people's budgets. Having said that, Breyer has given collectors several alternatives that are much more affordable. There are six ticket options and as I see it, something for everyone.

Tomorrow I will post the revealed BreyerFest models.

Stay 'tooned!

BreyerFest - In Person or Virtual?

For weeks I've been mulling over whether or not I will attend BreyerFest in person this summer or participate virtually. And while I don't have to buy my tickets right away, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of the release of tickets (next week) and make the decision without considering everything an in-person trip would mean.

So, like I said, I've been thinking about my options and what I should do for weeks.

I live close - it's only a four hour drive from my home. And the bonus is I can continue on afterward and head down to Tennessee to visit Music City Son Cole and his family. 

Cole and me at his home post-BreyerFest 2019.

My concerns are the toll it would take on my health to go. Like Nacho, I am getting older and I am slowing down. Things take me longer to do that they used to.

The heat bothers me, and it is hard for me to walk very far or stand for very long. (I have had multiple orthopedic surgeries and joint replacements.) But it's a little harder for me to talk about this:

When our family goes places that require a lot of walking or standing, they bring a wheelchair for me. (Me with Pony Pals Cambria, Kate, Mila, and Susie in Nauvoo, Illinois for our 45th wedding anniversary celebration.)

And while I don't like it and inevitably feel embarrassed, even sheepish, I always end up being grateful that my family pushed me around. (Poor Kyle! This is at Disney World in 2018 and before I lost almost 100 pounds!)

There won't be anyone to push me around at BreyerFest. I have many friends who would offer, but I don't feel good about asking them to do that or accepting if they offered.

Beth Dickinson, me, and Stephanie Clift at an early BreyerFest. (Gosh, I wish I still had that tee shirt!)

I've wondered if maybe I could rent a scooter and toodle around BreyerFest that way? Possibly, but I've seen those scooters coming through heavy crowds and I'm not sure I want to do that.

Craig has a bad back and trouble walking himself, but Teacher Daughter Lisa might come and help me. She's attended BreyerFest in the past when I was in better health and able to walk everywhere plus she loves horses. 

Lisa at BreyerFest 2012.

But, she has a life of her own and her summer plans are already in place.

I am leaning more and more towards attending BreyerFest virtually for 2024. 

I've attended all four of the previous virtual BreyerFests and enjoyed them. I've even got some traditions going for them!

I always put on my volunteer shirt and go to my local "horse park" just before Virtual BreyerFest starts,

and later that day, Craig and I eat dinner at Bob Evans or Denny's. (Early BreyerFest attendees will remember the days when your only meal options by the Holiday Inn North were Waffle House and Denny's. How far we have come!)

Looks like at this point, I will be purchasing virtual tickets. 

And I am okay with that.

Bonus post coming later this morning - just for fun!