Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is hosting its official grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 6 from 4:30-9 p.m. In addition to a $210K Tryon Grand Prix CSI 4* competition – to be televised on “NBC Sports Network” at 4 p.m. the following day – a beer festival will be held featuring Asheville-area craft breweries as part of TIEC’s inaugural “Festival of the Carolinas” event series.

Wristband admission to the beer festival is $40 in advance and $50 at the door, and includes unlimited four ounce pours from a variety of Asheville regional craft breweries plus food buffet and private restroom facility. Wristbands also include VIP seating in the Grand Prix arena. The beer festival is open to the public 21-years-old and older. Tickets can be purchased online at www.festivalofthecarolinas.com by midnight on June 5 and onsite as available. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Tickets and wristbands can be picked up at will call on Saturday, June 6.

Plenty of free, family fun is also planned for the evening as part of TIEC’s ongoing “Saturday Night Lights” series held on Grand Prix Saturdays from 5 –9 p.m. Kids can enjoy free face painting, airbrush tattoos and rides on a hand painted Venetian carousel, plus fun for the whole family including live music, sky-high ballet performances by the Asheville Aerial Artists, and bubble and juggling tricks by The Fettuccine Brothers. Admission and parking for TIEC are free and open to the public.

The highlight competition of the Tryon Spring 8 show is the $210,000 Tryon Grand Prix CSI 4*, which will be held on Saturday, June 6, in the evening under the lights in the George Morris Stadium. The week of competition offers the highest level of distinction for jumpers of the Spring Series with CSI 4* classes, which are held under international guidelines of the Federation Equestre International (FEI), the sport’s international governing body. Top American show jumpers, including Olympians, will compete against riders from Canada and around the world in this prestigious event.

Restaurant and onsite dining is available. Tryon International Equestrian Center is located at 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, N.C.

TIEC is destined to become one of the premier centers in the equestrian world. This new facility opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities including 10 riding arenas, 850 permanent stalls, a covered riding facility and fitness center. Future expansion includes a sports complex, two hotels, sporting clay course, and an 18-hole golf course plus a full calendar of equestrian competitions and activities. It is a spring, summer and fall haven for eastern and northeastern American equestrian competitors and enthusiasts. For more information, call 828-863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com. Please “Like” the TIEC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tryonresort to be eligible for various contests and promotions.

-Submitted by Michelle McConnell Yelton