A Tradition Worth Returning To: Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens Gears Up to Race for the Arts on November 7

18 hours ago

4 min read

More than four decades of memories, community, and giving back. Here's why Steeplechase remains one of the Chattahoochee Valley's most beloved fall traditions, and why 2026 is the perfect year to return.

There's something about fall in the Chattahoochee Valley that wouldn't be quite the same without Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens.

The colorful hats, the sound of horses thundering down the track, the beautiful autumn scenery, and the familiar faces gathered together for a day of celebration have made Steeplechase one of our region's most anticipated annual traditions for more than four decades.

On November 7, 2026, Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens will once again welcome guests for its annual Race for the Arts, inviting families, friends, and supporters from across the region to gather for a day that celebrates the very best of our community.

While there's certainly no shortage of reasons to love Race Day, there's one that stands above the rest: Every year, Steeplechase brings our community together for the purpose of giving back to the arts.

"Fall in our region just wouldn't be the same without Steeplechase," said Executive Director Brooke Neville. "We've been making memories here for more than 40 years, and seeing new generations fall in love with the event is the real reason it lasts—and why we can keep giving back to our local arts scene."

*This year's Race Day Art: 'Neck and Neck' by Austin Williams.*

More Than a Race. A Legacy of Giving.

Since its founding in 1984, Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens has raised more than $4.5 million to support organizations that contribute to the cultural vitality of the Chattahoochee Valley.

Among its beneficiaries are some of the institutions that have helped shape Columbus, Georgia's arts and cultural identity for generations: The Columbus Museum, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Springer Opera House, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Historic Columbus, and Callaway Gardens.

These organizations are responsible for far more than exhibitions, performances, and historic preservation. They introduce children to the arts, create opportunities for artists and performers, preserve our community's history, and make our region a more vibrant place to call home.

Steeplechase has played an important role in sustaining this work for more than 40 years. Steeplechase funding supports everything from arts education and community programming to the preservation of historic properties and access to cultural experiences.

It's a remarkable legacy, and one that continues because members of our community choose to support it year after year.

Every reservation, ticket purchase, and contribution helps carry that mission forward.

Scenes from Steeplechase throughout the years.

The Traditions We Share Are the Ones That Last

For many families in the Chattahoochee Valley, Steeplechase is more than an event on the fall calendar. It's a tradition that spans generations.

Parents who once attended with their own families now return with children of their own. Friends reunite around the track. Familiar traditions are passed down, and new memories are made along the way.

For Leigh Anne Smith, the 2026 Race Director, that sense of continuity is part of what makes the event so meaningful.

"Steeplechase has become one of my family’s most treasured traditions," she said. "It’s the event we look forward to every year that signals the beginning of fall and all the wonderful family gatherings and holidays ahead. There’s something so special about sharing a tradition that brings our community together year after year, and I love knowing we’re creating memories our children will carry with them for years to come.”

It's a sentiment shared by generations of Steeplechase guests.

After all, some of the best traditions are the ones that give us a reason to gather, reconnect, and celebrate the community we're fortunate to call home.

And when those traditions also serve a greater purpose, they're all the more meaningful.

*Race Day fun in the Terrace Boxes with friends.*

Make the Most of Race Day: Reserve a Terrace Box

If you've been looking for a reason to return to Steeplechase, this is it.

And if you're planning to attend with family, friends, or a group of colleagues, we encourage you to consider making a Terrace Box reservation for this year's event.

Terrace Boxes offer a wonderful way to experience Steeplechase together, creating a dedicated gathering place for your group to enjoy the excitement and beauty of Race Day.

For longtime attendees, reserving a box can be a way to continue a beloved tradition. For first-time guests, it's an opportunity to begin one.

Gather your favorite people, plan a memorable day at the races, and enjoy the opportunity to reconnect while supporting a cause that makes a lasting difference in our community.

A Terrace Box reservation is more than a place to spend Race Day. It's an investment in an experience you'll look forward to sharing again and again.

We encourage guests to explore Terrace Box reservations early and make plans to be part of this year's Race for the Arts.

A Race Worth Supporting. A Tradition Worth Keeping.

At The Columbusite, we've spent nearly a decade sharing the stories of the artists, organizations, and cultural institutions that make the Chattahoochee Valley such a special place to live.

We've also had the privilege of documenting the remarkable ways Steeplechase continues to invest in that creative community. It's an event that's beloved to us, and a cause we believe in wholeheartedly.

We believe the arts aren't extra. They're essential to the character, vitality, and future of the place we call home.

And that's why Steeplechase matters.

When we gather for Steeplechase each fall, we're doing more than celebrating another beautiful day at the track. We're helping ensure that future generations will have access to the museums, performances, educational opportunities, and cultural experiences that enrich our region today.

Mark your calendars for November 7, 2026, gather your friends and family, and make plans to return to Steeplechase this year. The memories you make will last long after Race Day, and the impact of your support will, too.

We'll see you at the track. Come by our Terrace Box to say hello!