|
|
Travers Festival features charity benefits, Restaurant Week and giveaways For the 16th consecutive year, the Travers Festival returns to Saratoga and the greater Capital Region in anticipation of one of the highlights of the summer -- the $1 million Travers S. (G1). The Travers Festival kicks off on Saturday and continues through August 28. The festival offers a variety of entertainment for the Spa City community and visitors, all in celebration of Saratoga's crown jewel and the summer's biggest and most anticipated race -- the 142nd running of the Travers on August 27. The Travers Festival gets underway at Saratoga Race Course with the Alabama S. (G1) for three-year-old fillies, which sets the scene for Travers week as the first of 10 graded stakes races. The race will be shown live on NBC from 5-6 p.m. (EDT), marking the sixth of eight "Summer at Saratoga" programs broadcast nationally by the NBC Sports Group. Sunday features the third giveaway of the 2011 meet, when fans will receive a Saratoga Sports Bag free with paid admission, while supplies last. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. This year's festival will be highlighted by the return of the second annual Travers 1864 Restaurant Week from Sunday through August 25. Nearly 60 restaurants and eateries throughout the greater Capital Region will offer special pricing and menus in celebration of the Travers Stakes. During the five-day event, diners have the opportunity to indulge in a three-course meal at participating restaurants for the prix-fixe cost of $18.64, the year of the inaugural running of the Travers. On August 24, racing fans can cool down at the track with the Stewart's Shops annual Ice Cream Eating Contest. One of the best ways to beat the summer heat, the competition will include categories for kids, teens and adults. The winners receive gift certificates for free Stewart's Shops ice cream. A fashion show and luncheon to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region will start the day at Saratoga on August 25. For tickets to the 13th annual Ronald McDonald House Fashion Show, call 518-438-2655. As dusk settles over Saratoga Race Course on August 25, the 11th annual Travers Celebration, the official party of the Travers Stakes, will return with a new format as a lavish outdoor cocktail party from 7:30-11 p.m. The "Moonlight over Saratoga" cocktail reception will feature exquisite food stations, elaborate beverage offerings, dancing, and live music from the New York Players outside the Clubhouse entrance to Saratoga Race Course. All net proceeds from the evening will benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) and the Times Union Hope Fund. The centerpiece of the evening will be a live auction, which will commence with a formal presentation at 8:15 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to bid on a number of premier items, including: The live auction will be supplemented with a silent auction, which will be open until 9:30 p.m. The silent auction will feature an extensive selection of luxury items, including: Tickets cost $175 per person and $125 for young adults (under 30), and are available for purchase by phone at 518-383-6183 or online at www.traverscelebration.eventbrite.com. The next day at the track, the backyard will play host to the area's best brews as adults enjoy the ultimate in beer tasting: the 14th annual Battle of the Brews. The festival will feature some of the best microbrewery beers in the area with proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross Adirondack-Saratoga Chapter. For ticket information, call 518-792-6545. After the day's racing, NYRA and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce invite fans to gather on Broadway for the second annual Travers Eve Party. Held on the eve of the Travers Stakes, fans of all ages are invited to downtown Saratoga Springs to meet their favorite jockeys during an autograph session on Broadway, dance to live music, enjoy family entertainment, and pick up a special Saratoga Race Course-themed giveaway at local businesses. Travers Day on August 27 will see a a special first post time of 11:35 a.m. Gates open at 7 a.m. and the undercard will include the King's Bishop S. (G1), Ballerina S. (G1), Ballston Spa S. (G2) and Victory Ride S. (G3). Both the Travers and King's Bishop will be shown live on NBC from 5-6 p.m. as part of the "Summer at Saratoga." For more information about the 16th annual edition of the Travers Festival visit www.nyra.com/saratogaevents.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
