They’re off, starting on Saturdays now

Saturday nights in August are about to get a lot more exciting.

This weekend, Fort Erie Race Track will be switching to Saturday night twilight racing from a Sunday afternoon post time.

The new calendar will offer live racing every Saturday and Tuesday in August. First race post time is 4:20 p.m. on both days, with free Tiki Bar concerts after the races featuring local Niagara bands and musicians.

“People seem to really enjoy our twilight racing,” said Tom Valiquette, chief operating and financial officer of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium.

The thoroughbred track introduced twilight Tuesday racing and Tiki Bar concerts in 2010.

“We decided to try Saturday night twilights this season to give more people an opportunity to come out to the track to enjoy the races, and experience great live music in an idyllic setting,” he said. “We are also hoping the change will put us in a better position in the simulcast market, which will help increase wagering on our live racing product.”

Fort Erie Race Track’s Farmers’ Market will also be moving to Saturdays, beginning at 3 p.m. and wrapping up when racing ends.

The concert series takes place every live race day this year, featuring bands such as Split Second, this Saturday; The Moore Vince Band, Tuesday, Aug. 8, and 351 Cleveland, Tuesday, Aug. 15. among others.

A number of other events that will be taking place throughout the month. Saturday, Aug. 12, will be the sixth annual Circle the Course fundraiser. In recent years the event was held on Labour Day weekend, but this year fans will have the opportunity to walk the track after twilight racing and enjoy a free concert by the Madhatters.

One of the highlights will be the jockey hopper ball race, where the jockeys break from the starting gate on children’s hopper balls and race to the finish line. Luminary bags, t-shirts and glow sticks will be sold, with all proceeds donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.

All program sales for the day will also be donated. Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food donations to help fill a horse trailer with food for Community Outreach Program Erie (COPE).

More than $25,000 has been raised for COPE through this event, and a horse trailer has been filled each year with food donations.

“We are always happy to give back and support our community where we can,” Valiquette said. “This is an event that we are really proud of, and one that many of our staff and fans have become passionate about.”

Final twilight card of the summer will be Tuesday, Aug. 29, before racing switches back to the 1:20 p.m. fall post time on Saturdays and Tuesdays in September.

“Whether you’re a horseracing enthusiast or just looking for something new and fun to do, we encourage you to come out to the races and see what Fort Erie has to offer,” he said.

For the full racing schedule and list of upcoming events, visit FortErieRacing.com.