Celebrate the Independence Day weekend in Fredericksburg on Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7, with live pari-mutuel horse racing and an evening concert and dance at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds.
Sponsored by the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association, the two-day July Fourth Weekend Racing Festival kicks off the eight-day 2013 summer racing season at the fair grounds.
Featured will be thoroughbred and quarter horse racing on Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7, at the five-eighths mile oval at the Class III track.
Gates open at 11 a.m. and post time is 1 p.m. daily.
On Saturday, July 6, Fiesta de la Musica will be performing on the open air pavilion starting at 8:30 p.m. Featured will be David Lee Garza and Los Hermanos Farias.
Admission to the race meet is $5 for adults (ages 16 and up), $3 for children 6 to 15 years of age and free for children under 6 years. Box seats are available in the grandstands for the races at $9 each.
Admission to the dance is $12 in advance or $15 at the gate.
An all-day pass for Saturday, July 6, is available for $15.
A summer season pass, which is good for all fair association-sponsored events at the fair grounds this summer, is available for $35 each.
Highlighting the racing program on Saturday, July 6, will the Texas Quarter Horse Association Futurity Trials. Finals for that 350-yard race will be run on July 20.
Also on the weekend’s program is the 440-yard Hill Country Dash on Sunday, July 7. Also that day will be the Gillespie County Fair Association Maiden Challenge Trials. The finals for that 350-yard race will be run July 21.
In addition to live racing, simulcast wagering is offered in the Biergarten at the fair grounds and at The Race Barn, located at the main entrance to the fair grounds.
The July Fourth Racing Festival opens the eight-day summer season at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds.
After the July 4th Racing Festival, the season continues with the Fredericksburg Texas Fest Race Meet on July 20-21, the Gillespie County Race Meet on Aug. 10-11 and on Aug. 24-25 as part of the 125th Gillespie County Fair, which runs Aug. Aug. 22-25.
The Texas Fest weekend will also include the Texas Fest Chili Cook-Off on Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21. The cook-off is CASI sanctioned, and is open to anyone interested in cooking.
More information on the cook-off is available by contacting Kim Hiley at kdhiley@yahoo.com or calling her at 210-286-4275.
Texas Fest weekend coincides with the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce’s Night In Old Fredericksburg celebration on Marktplatz on Friday and Saturday, July 19-20. Those who get a wristband with paid admission at either event will get into the other event free.
Special entertainment has also been planned for the 125th Gillespie County Fair, which runs Aug. 22-25.
Featured on Friday night, Aug. 23, will be Darrell McCall and Friends. General admission on Aug. 23 is $5 before 6 p.m. and $10 after 6 p.m. School children and senior citizens are admitted free that day.
On Saturday, Aug. 24, the featured entertainers are John Anderson and Cody Johnson. Admission on Aug. 24 before 6 p.m. is $5 for adults (16 and up), $3 for youth ages 6 to 15 years and free for children under 6. Box seats for the races are $9. After 6 p.m. on Aug. 24, admission is $15 for adults (16 and up), $3 for youth ages 6 to 15 years and free for children under 6.
After the summer racing season concludes, the Fair Association will be sponsoring the Fredericksburg Professional Bull Riding on Saturday, Sept. 14. Tickets are now on sale by contacting the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association.
The Gillespie County Fair Grounds is located approximately two miles south of Fredericksburg on Texas Highway 16 South (Kerrville Highway).
For more information on the upcoming live pari-mutuel horse racing season, the season passes or any of the upcoming events, call the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association at 830-997-2359 or visit their website at www.gillespiefair.com.
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