WiM Kentucky | Run for the Robots WiMKY & FIRST Robotics Volunteer Event

Join WiM Kentucky for

Run for the Robots WiMKY & FIRST Robotics Volunteer Event

Date:
Friday, May 29, 2026

Time:
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET

Location:
Alltech Arena - Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Pkwy
Lexington, KY 40511

Cost to Attend:
FREE!

Run for the Robots | May 29, 2026 | Open to the Public

Join Women in Manufacturing Kentucky as we volunteer at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY for an exciting, high-stakes FIRST Tech Challenge international competition featuring top teams from across the U.S. and around the world.

Explore Futures Pathway zone with college and career opportunities, plus interactive exhibits throughout the venue. On Friday, May 29, enjoy a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) competition for 4th-8th grade teams and a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) display featuring multiple 100+ lb robots launching game pieces at high speed.

https://www.kyfirstrobotics.org/runfortherobots

Additional volunteer opportunities will be available directly with FIRST in addition to the WiM Kentucky volunteer time and day.
The event takes place May 29th-30th at Alltech Arena at the Horse Park. If anyone is interested in volunteering, we begin setting up on May 27th. Teams arrive the evening of the 28th to set up their pits.

The busiest day of the week will be Friday, May 29th. In addition to our main event kicking off with opening ceremonies at 9:00 am that day, we will have a smaller FIRST LEGO League event (for students in grades 4-8) and we will also have 8-10 FIRST Robotics Competition teams in attendance with their industrial size bots playing some practice rounds. 

Throughout the event, we are inviting organizations, employers, and community partners to participate in our Future Pathways area on the concourse. This space serves as a starting gate to college and careers, where students can explore opportunities available to them right here in Kentucky and beyond.
We encourage partners to bring interactive exhibits that students and spectators can engage with. We will also work with you to feature a short (silent) video or slides on our large center screen, along with announcements throughout the event to help drive traffic to your space.
I have attached a volunteer flyer to share with anyone you think may be interested, as well as a sponsor letter. Reach out any time with questions.

Run for the Robots is in an international Premier Event for FIRST Tech Challenge. Students in grades 7-12 build a 18" x 18" x 18" robot to compete in on 12' x 12' field in an alliance format. Every year a new game is released in September and students have until their state or regional championship (in February or March) to design, built, and iterate their robot to compete. Top teams will advance from their state or country to come to KY and compete in a championship level event. A unique feature of this program is that students are encouraged to use advanced manufacturing processes to build their robots.

Want to get more involved? FIRST Event is looking for volunteers!

We can't wait to see you there!