**Please see the attached photos showcasing Mid-Summer Saint Patrick’s Day (Thursday, August 2) and the Stewart’s Shops annual Ice Cream Eating Contest (Wednesday, August 22), two of more than two dozen special events that will take place at Saratoga Race Course during the 2012 season. Credit NYRA.**
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Contact: Dan Silver
Mark Bardack or Caitlin Merrill
mbardack@edlewi.com or cmerrill@edlewi.com
NYRA ANNOUNCES 2012 SPECIAL EVENTS LINEUP AT
A wide variety of special events, including perennial favorites, will engage fans throughout the meet beginning with Opening Day on Friday, July 20.
The 144th racing season will feature Family Fun Fridays – a series of weekly family festivals each Friday during the summer in the backyard picnic area. The day-long event will include a number of activities, games, bounce inflatables, and arts and crafts for all ages. Additional activities will include a live reptile show, a mad science show and FOX 23 News’ karaoke booth on Opening Day and on the final Friday of the season, August 31. All Family Fun Fridays’ activities are free with paid admission; children under 12 are admitted free to Saratoga Race Course when accompanied by an adult.
One of the most popular non-racing elements of the meet, giveaway days will again be a feature in 2012. Four Sunday giveaways are planned this year: a
The summer will hit a
The anticipation for the summer’s biggest race will build with over a week of festivities to celebrate
The festival will also include the return of the third annual Travers 1864 Restaurant Week, which celebrates the year of the inaugural running of the Travers Stakes. From Sunday, August 19 through Thursday, August 23, restaurants throughout the greater Capital Region will once again offer a three-course meal for the prix fixe cost of $18.64.
As has become customary, Saratoga Race Course will host two “Party at the Spa” celebrations on Friday, July 27 and Friday, August 31. Presented by Coors Light, each day features a 2:30 p.m. post time. Fans are invited to stay after the races as the fun continues with live music and food at The Post.
The highly successful Battle of Saratoga Handicapping Challenge will return on Wednesday, August 8 and Thursday, August 9. One hundred and fifty players will be invited to compete in the handicapping contest for the chance to win $150,000 and a trip to the Daily Racing Form/NTRA Las Vegas National Handicapping Tournament. Entry forms will be available at nyra.com in late June.
The meet will conclude with the three-day Final Stretch Festival, held Saturday, September 1 through Monday, September 3. On-track events will include the annual Family Fun Fest and Times Union Labor Day BBQ on Sunday, September 2 and Monday, September 3.
Additionally, dozens of returning favorites dot the Saratoga calendar including: Open House (Sunday, July 15); Hats Off to Saratoga (Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 22), featuring the popular Hat Contest on Sunday, July 22; College Day (Friday, July 27); Mid-Summer Saint Patrick’s Day (Thursday, August 2); the Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing (Saturday, August 4 – Sunday, August 5); Galloping Grapes: A New York Wine Event (Sunday, August 5); Fabulous Fillies Day (Friday, August 17); and Veterans Day (Wednesday, August 29).
For a complete and up to date listing of all special events at Saratoga Race Course, visit www.nyra.com/saratogaevents
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