Free T-Shirts. Live Music. Food Trucks. $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile
In 1956 Elvis topped the charts, gas was 23 cents a gallon, the average home was $22,000, and Turf Paradise opened its doors for the first time. Turf Paradise is turning 62 and the iconic Phoenix racetrack is celebrating by throwing a birthday party thanking its fans Saturday January 13.
In addition to a full card of live horseracing, the first 4000 paid admissions will get a free long sleeve T-shirt. There’s also live music, a kids fun park, free birthday cake, and $3 aluminum bottled beer.
And new this year, some of the Valley’s most popular food trucks will be on site serving Italian food, fry bread, mac and cheese, lobster, pies, and Chinese food.
Grandstand admission is $3 and kids 16 and under get in free.
Turf Paradise opened its doors at 19th Ave and Bell in 1956. At the time it was far removed from the heart of the city, surrounded by desert and dirt roads. Over the decades the city has literally grown up around the track. Turf Paradise is the state’s first professional sports franchise.
The birthday party also feature one of the premier races of the season named after one of the track’s most iconic fans. The $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile is named in honor of the late Phoenix Suns coach who was an avid racing fan and a regular at the track.
The celebration continues as Turf Paradise hosts $2 Day on MLK Day January 15th. Grandstand admission, draft beer, popcorn, sodas, programs, ice cream, and hot dogs are just $2. There will also be a live DJ.
On both days the gates open at 11am and the first post time is 12:40pm.
Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia said, “This is our way of thanking the fans for 62 seasons in Phoenix and we’re just getting started.”
The season also includes:
• Fiesta Sundays (last Sunday of the month except December) featuring Mexican food and music
• Super Saturday February 10th
• Wiener Dog Races March 3rd
• Camel and Ostrich Races March 17th
• Kentucky Derby Party May 5th
Who: Turf Paradise
What: 62nd Anniversary Party
When: Saturday, January 13. Gates open at 11a.m.
Where: Turf Paradise 1501 West Bell Road
Why: To celebrate 62 seasons of horseracing in Arizona
How Much: Grandstand admission is just $3
More Info: Call (602) 942-1101/ Online www.turfparadise.com
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