Fairmount Park to mark 100th anniversary with three-day celebration

Edited press release

Fairmount Park Casino & Racing is celebrating its 100th anniversary with three days of events from Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, through Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. The schedule at the Collinsville, Illinois, venue includes giveaways, family-friendly entertainment, and the $250,000 St. Louis Derby.

“This milestone is about more than just racing; it’s about honoring the generations of fans, horsemen, and team members who have made Fairmount Park what it is today,” said Vince Gabbert, Senior Vice President of U.S. Gaming and General Manager at Fairmount Park Casino & Racing. 

“We’re excited to welcome the community to join in the celebration, and we look forward to the next hundred years of racing and entertainment here at Fairmount Park.”

Festivities begin on Thursday with a giveaway. All cardholders can choose between a free commemorative hat or a T-shirt from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (all times CT), while supplies last. The day continues with Fall Into Fortune Hot Seats running from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests actively playing with their card inserted at the time of the drawing will qualify. Every 30 minutes, five winners will receive $100 in Free Slot Play.

The fifth running of the $250,000 St. Louis Derby, the richest race on the Illinois calendar and the largest race held at Fairmount Park, anchors Friday’s eight-race card. First post time is 2:30 pm. This shift from a 1:30 p.m. post time to 2:30 p.m. took effect on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and will remain in place for the rest of the racing season. 

On Friday, there will also be an on-track kids’ race featuring inflatable horses, with prizes including T-shirts and hats. Plus, the first 500 guests through the gates will receive a chocolate bar, with some containing a Longshots food credit. Food trucks, including Titi’s Ice Cream & Snow Cones, will be available.

That evening, there will be $10,000 cash giveaways at the casino. To enter Century Celebration Drawings, guests must be actively playing with a player's card at the time of drawing. Twenty winners will be announced every hour from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Activities for all ages on Saturday are from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and include face painting, magicians, jugglers, and oversized lawn games such as cornhole and Connect 4. Guests can also pet the ponies from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

For more information, please visit the Fairmount Park website.