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Tickets Now on Sale for 75th Running of Fair Hill Races
The largest one-day event in Cecil County!
Fair Hill, Md. (April 24, 2009) – Experience the tradition of steeplechase racing as some of the nation’s best horses participate in the 75th running of the Fair Hill Races. All proceeds benefit Union Hospital by funding programs that improve healthcare services in Cecil County.
The festival and races will be held on Saturday, May 23 at the scenic Fair Hill Natural Resources Area at the intersection of Routes 273 and 213 - just seven miles from Newark, Delaware.
Gates will open at 10:00 am with the races beginning at 1:00 pm. The day-long festival will feature pony rides, face painting and stick pony races for the kids, along with local artisans and a craft fair for adults. The schedule of events will also include Jack Russell Terrier races, a tailgate contest and a tribute to our Veterans.
Wagering is encouraged, as Fair Hill remains the only steeplechase race in the United States that offers pari-mutuel wagering. Pari-mutuel wagering is a system of betting on races whereby the winners divide the total amount bet, after deducting management expenses, in proportion to the sums they have wagered individually. Between races, the Fair Hill Jumbotron will feature expert handicapping advice to help with your wagering.
General admission tickets ($12 in advance, $15 at the gate) will be on sale at the following locations starting May 1: Buck’s Restaurant, Cecil Federal Bank, Fair Hill Liquors, Fair Hill Shell, NBRS Financial Bank, Peoples Bank of Elkton, Prizzio’s Deli and Wesley’s.
Tickets and boxes can be reserved online at http://www.fairhillraces.org. For more information call (410) 398-6565.
About Union Hospital Foundation, Inc.
Union Hospital Foundation, Inc. was established in 1997 and is a nonprofit arm of Affinity Health Alliance. Our mission is to meet Union’s Hospital’s special short range and long range funding needs through various fundraising vehicles including special events, annual appeals, capital campaigns and endowments. The Foundation has helped to fund new facilities and equipment; new programming and technology; and created endowments to fund the future of medicine at Union Hospital. The Foundation looks to the community to grow and bring newer and better health care services to Cecil County.
More information about the Foundation and its programs is available at http://www.uhcc.com.
About Fair Hill Races
Since 1934, the Fair Hill Races has attracted horsemen, families and bettors to the rolling hills of Fair Hill, Maryland and the 5,600 acre former estate of William Du Pont, Jr. annually drawing 15,000 spectators, Fair Hill received national television exposure on NBC as host of the Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase in 1986, 1987 and 1991.
The Fair Hill Races harkens back to a simpler time when spectators would arrive by horse and carriage for the festival in the country. Traditionally, gentlemen would place wagers on the races. This tradition continues today at Fair Hill, the only steeplechase race in America that offers pari-mutuel wagering.
The Fair Hill Races are held every May to benefit Union Hospital. Cecil County Breeders’ Fair, Inc., a subsidiary Board of the Union Hospital Foundation, operationally oversees the Fair Hill Races with the support of many dedicated volunteers.
All proceeds from the Fair Hill Races benefit Union Hospital.
Download the press release: 2009 Fair Hill Races