Last year, the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens unveiled the new entrance to the renovated Terrace boxes. This year, for its 25th running of the horses, the only physical change is in the Top-of-the-Turn boxes. Several rows of boxes were removed to make room for the popular Family Tents.
The other changes are behind-the-scenes with new executive director Lucy Knight and race day director Peyton Farrar.
The Infield’s Kids’ Corral is bigger this year, and for a $20 wristband, kids can play all day, Knight said. It’s also got a new sponsor, Carmike Cinemas this year. There will be clowns, inflatable jumps, popcorn, cotton candy and arts and crafts.
Click here for more details on the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens
What: The 25th running of the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens, featuring pony races, horse races, stick pony races for children 10 and younger, Jack Russell terrier races, Kids Corral in the Infield
When: Gates open at 10 a.m.; first race at 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Steeplechase site at Nelson Road off Ga. 18, follow the signs
Raffle: A package worth more than $10,000, including airfare for four to New York City with two hotel rooms at the New York Helmsley, tickets for four to a Broadway show on June 4, 2010, tickets for four to the Belmont Stakes on June 5, 2010. $50.
Galloping Gourmets: 11:30 a.m. Saturday. $20, must be purchased in advance, though a few tickets may be available at the gate.
Kids’ Corral: $20, may be purchased in advance or in the Infield
Admission: $25-$6,000
Information: 706-324-6252
10 a.m.: Gate, souvenir, raffle sales open; registration for the WGSY-FM Best Tailgate competition begins
10:30 a.m.: Infield entertainment and Taste of the Chase open
11 a.m.: Midland Fox Hounds parade; Ledger-Enquirer Best Decorated Terrace Box competition begins
11:30 a.m.: Galloping Gourmets opens for patrons ($20 in advance); Jack Russell Terrior flat race; Race director Peyton Farrar’s welcome (winner’s circle); presentation of the Lampton Bronze Award honoring a volunteer (winner’s circle)
11:45 a.m.: Presentation of colors (winner’s circle); National Anthem sung by Mary Bragg; invocation by the Rev. Gil Watson
Noon: Race A, the Maxine Strupe Perpetual Pony Race ($200 purse)
12:05 p.m.: Judging for the WGSY-FM Best Tailgate competition begins
12:15 p.m.: Jack Russell Terrier hurdle race
12:30 p.m.: Race B, the V’Roooom Junior Hunter Race ($200 purse)
12:45 p.m.: Jack Russell Terrier stakes race
1 p.m.: W.C. Bradley Maiden Timber Race ($15,000 purse); Southern Views Hat Contest begins; McDonald’s Stick Pony race registration begins ($5 entry fee or free for those with a Kids’ Corral wristband)
1:30 p.m.: Collie Jennings Mullen Amateur Hurdle ($15,000 purse)
1:45 p.m.: Stick Pony race for children 5-7
2 p.m.: Aflac U.S. Championship Supreme Hurdle Sport of Kings Fall Novice Challenge ($30,000 purse)
2:15 p.m.: Stick Pony race for children 8-10
2:30 p.m.: Crown Royal Sport of Queens Hurdle Race ($30,000 purse)
2:40 p.m.: Stick Pony race winners’ lap (winner’s circle)
3 p.m.: SunTrust Sport of Kinds Maiden Hurdle ($25,000 purse)
3:30 p.m.: Winner of Belmont Stakes raffle announced
3:45 p.m.: Jay Automotive Group Flat Race ($500 purse)
4 p.m.: Post-Chase celebration with the Good Times Band
“Columbus loves to do family-oriented activities and we’re proud to have Carmike as a sponsor,” Knight said. “Last year, it was a huge success.”
Two other popular events are the stick pony race for young children and the Jack Russell Terrier races. Both are in the Infield. Patrons can also take part in the Ledger-Enquirer’s Best Decorated Terrace Box, Sunny 100’s Best Tailgate and Southern Views’ Best Hat competitions.
Last year, a car was raffled. This year’s raffle is a prize package of more than $10,000 includes airfare, hotel and tickets to the Belmont Stakes and a Broadway show for four. The runner-up gets a pice of designer jewelry. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold.
And for the 25th anniversary, Vineyard Vines of Martha’s Vineyard, has created a special tie in either blue or yellow.
Farrar hopes that people don’t forget the reason to hold the Steeplechase every year.
“It’s for the arts and Steeplechase has given away more than $2.5 million in the past 25 years,” she said.
More than 250 volunteers work on 40 different committees, Knight said.
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@