Coglianese / NYRA Photo Photo

NYRA to host Berkshire Bank Family Adventure Sundays at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna / Mark Bardack

Weekly family festival complements adjacent Berkshire Bank Family Zone

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will welcome families and children to enjoy a fun afternoon at Saratoga Race Course this season during Berkshire Bank Family Adventure Sundays.

The popular weekly festival, which was previously held on Mondays, will offer a wide array of free games, attractions and educational activities at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion each Sunday of the season from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The kid-friendly festival will take place near the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, a smoke- and alcohol-free interactive play area for children. Features of the playground include a complimentary phone charging station, courtesy of Berkshire Bank; a giant Adirondack-style chair designed for photo opportunities; and an oval multi-lane running track complete with a miniature replica starting gate.

"This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy their visit to Saratoga. The Berkshire Bank Family Zone is specifically designed and is an ideal way for a broader audience to experience all that Saratoga has to offer," said Bob Curley, New York Chairman of Berkshire Bank. "Through our continued commitment to the Family Zone, we are honored to incorporate Saratoga's premier family activities under the Berkshire Bank banner and encourage families to support the local community, and enjoy the summer racing season."

"A day at Saratoga is a special experience for fans of all ages. Our Berkshire Bank Family Adventure Sunday series is an ideal way for multiple generations to enjoy all that the Spa has to offer," said NYRA Director of Guest Services Will Alempijevic. "We thank Berkshire Bank for their continued partnership and look forward to welcoming our youngest fans to Saratoga this season."

The Opening Weekend edition of Berkshire Bank Family Adventure Sundays on July 14 will coincide with the first premium giveaway of the season: a Saratoga picnic cooler, presented by NYRA Bets. All giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last on a first-come, first-served basis.

All fans visiting on giveaway days will receive one voucher with paid admission upon entry. This voucher can be redeemed for a premium item, while supplies last. In order to create a more equitable process and provide as many fans as possible with the opportunity to secure a popular Saratoga giveaway, the multi-purchase lane will no longer be offered during the 2019 season.

Season pass and season ticket holders will be guaranteed a Saratoga premium giveaway on the day of the giveaway so long as they are present at Saratoga Race Course and redeem the giveaway by the designated time.

Sunday of Opening Weekend will also include a Saratoga tradition: the 28th annual Hat Contest, presented by Moet & Chandon and Hat Sationa! by DEI. Fans will compete for great prizes in three categories: Kreative Kids, Fashionably Saratoga and Uniquely Saratoga. Registration begins at noon under the grandstand (Section A) with the contests taking place after the second, third and fourth races.

Following Opening Weekend, Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, July 14, racing at Saratoga will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Closing week will run Wednesday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 2.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.