Arlington
plans special events during ‘Summer of Fun’
A food truck festival, two wine festivals and special days
honoring Chicago’s top sports teams are just some of the highlights of the
special events planned for the 89-day season at Arlington International
Racecourse that begins Friday, May 2.
From fireworks to concerts to wine tastings, to celebrity appearances
and the chance to see some of the top Thoroughbreds from around the world
competing, there’s something for everyone at Arlington, which celebrates the
25th anniversary of its marvelous facility.
The centerpiece of this year’s “Summer of Fun” is August 16 with the International Festival of Racing featuring the 32nd running
of the world renowned Arlington Million. In addition, June 28 will mark the 25th
anniversary of the opening of the current Arlington grandstand, still hailed as
one of the world’s best racecourse facilities.
“Arlington is a premier entertainment venue and
entertaining our customers is our mission,” Arlington General Manager Tony Petrillo
said.
“We are proud to bring world class Thoroughbred racing to Chicagoland,
and we are also proud to offer a menu of fun for the whole family built around
our great racing. We suggest our customers go to
arlingtonpark.com to check out
our schedule and also purchase tickets early because of high demand.”
The “Summer of Fun” at Arlington begins on Friday, May 2,
with the Opening Weekend Party that kicks off the season with free general
admission and a food and drink specials.
On Saturday, May 3, celebrate the “Run for the Roses” at Chicagoland’s Biggest and Best Kentucky Derby Party. There is a special 12:45
p.m. (CDT) post time for Arlington’s races leading up the “most exciting two minutes in
sports.” The first 1,000 fans through the gates on Derby Day will receive
an official Kentucky Derby 140 glass.
The time leading up to the Derby will be filled with Mint
Juleps, music, prizes and contests. It’s a chance to party in the exclusive
“Derby Party Zone” where guests can walk the red carpet with fabulous food and
drink in one all-inclusive package. It’s like going to the Kentucky Derby
without leaving Chicago.
There will also be a chance for a lucky customer to win with the “Grand Ultimate Derby Bet,” which gives a fan a chance to make a $1,000
win bet on the Kentucky Derby.
Tickets are on sale for the entire Arlington
International season, including all of Arlington’s Big Event Days. Fans are
encouraged to go online for Big Event Days tickets early because of high demand.
New for 2014, Arlington is pleased to partner with
Tickets.com, provider of state-of-the-art technology solutions to more than
1,000 sports and entertainment clients around the world, by offering their
innovative
ProVenue platform to those wishing to purchase tickets online.
This year’s Fireworks Show — Chicagoland’s biggest and best
— is set for July 4. Purchase tickets early as this event is
one of the most popular of the season.
Once again Arlington is proud to welcome back our partners
for special days celebrating the history of the Chicago Bears, Chicago
Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Northwestern University. Each of
these special events gives fans a chance to have autograph sessions with sports
stars and coaches as well as see trophies and memorabilia that are part of the
history of these storied organizations.
Other big event days include Mother’s Day on Sunday, May
11, and Father’s Day on Sunday, June 15. Each of these popular days will feature
family-friendly events as well as special brunch packages being offered in the
Million Room and International Room for those looking for an upscale day at the
races. Reservations are required for the brunch events and may be made online or by calling 847-870-RACE.
Arlington International’s complete 2014 special event
schedule may be found at
http://www.arlingtonpark.com/visit/eventschedule2014.
The kickoff to summer begins Memorial Day weekend, with the
start of the Miller Lite Party in the Park on Fridays, Horses & Hops Saturdays
and Sunday Family Days.
Arlington will take to the airwaves
this season with a 30-minute weekly Saturday morning radio show called “Arlington Live”
which will air on ESPN Chicago (1000 AM). Arlington’s Howard Sudberry and
Alyssa Ali will give insight into the Sport of Kings, update fans on special
events planned at Arlington in 2014 and have special giveaways each week.
“We are looking forward to interacting with the ESPN1000 audience…and not
just about racing,” Sudberry said. “Alyssa and I will discuss other sports,
current events and will feature live interviews with many very well-known names
in racing, sports and entertainment.”
“‘Arlington Live’ is going to give our fans an inside look
at both horse racing and one of the best sports venues in Chicago — Arlington
International Racecourse,” said Adam Delevitt, program director at AM-1000.
“We’re very excited to offer our audience this sort of behind-the-scenes access
and expertise.”
Moreover, Arlington is pleased to be teaming up with the Mane in Heaven
organization for a number of events during the meet. Mane in Heaven is a
non-profit volunteer organization which provides animal-assisted activity and
therapy visits with miniature horses. These interactions are a source of joy,
healing, emotional connection and unconditional love for all that encounter the
amazing registered therapy minis.
Arlington’s partnership with Mane In Heaven will begin with a special event
on Thursday, May 1, that is sure to surprise and delight its audience.
Mane In Heaven will also be involved in select Sunday Family Days presented by
the Daily Herald when that weekly promotion begins Memorial Day weekend
and they will also participate in Arlington’s event at U. S. Cellular Field on
Monday, August 4,when the Chicago White Sox host the Texas Rangers.
“Mane In Heaven is pleased to be teaming up with Arlington on these events,”
said Jodie Diegel, founder and executive director of the Palatine-based
organization. “Arlington International Racecourse is the perfect venue to help
us spread our message about animal-assisted activity and therapy which provides
improved outcomes of physical, mental and emotional well-being for numerous area
people of all ages.”
“Featuring Mane In Heaven’s miniature horses at our events is part of
Arlington’s on-going commitment to community relations,” Sudberry said. “It is
wonderful to see the joy in the faces of all those helped by the hard-working
volunteers at Mane In Heaven.”
Mane In Heaven is a recognized 501©(3)non-profit organization that provides
therapeutic benefits to disabled and able-bodied children and adults through
animal-assisted activity and therapy visits with miniature horses leading to
improved outcomes of physical, mental and emotional well-being. For more
information, visit their website at www.maneinheaven.org.
The Arlington season starts Friday, May 2, and runs through
Sunday, September 28, with racing four days a week. Arlington will operate on a
Thursday through Sunday schedule throughout the 2014 season as well as offering
holiday racing on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) and Monday, September 1 (Labor Day).
General admission to Arlington International remains $8 for
adults most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with special $6 Value Day general
admission offered on Thursdays. General admission for children ages 4-17 will be
$2 every day.
In addition, the popular Seniors Day promotion returns for
the 2014 season. Each Thursday guests aged 55 and older can purchase general
admission for just $4. Members of the Military with Military-issued ID can also
enter the track for $4 on these dates.
General admission to Arlington International for Million
Day is $22. Additional upgrade options are available online.
General admission for other Kentucky Derby Day, Mother’s
Day and Father’s Day is $12 and $16 for the “Racing, Music and Fireworks
extravaganza on July 4.
General admission to Arlington includes access to the
Paddock area for an up-close view to see the horses saddled prior to each race,
access to the Apron area along the rail for a view of the horses as
they thunder down the homestretch and access to the Park and picnic grove areas
where there will be a $5 charge for bringing in outside food and beverage in
coolers exceeding our size limitations.
The will debut Saturday at 8 a.m. — six days before Opening Day at
Arlington, Friday, May 2 – and conclude its first season on September 6.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com