Fiesta time at race meeting

Family fun day as Rio comes to the course

As the Olympics draw to a close in Brazil, Perth Racecourse celebrates the colour, music and excitement of fiesta at its very own Carnival Raceday on Saturday, August 20.

The annual fixture is one of the busiest in the course’s season and its only day of Saturday racing throughout the year.

The annual CLIC Sargent Carnival Raceday will see sizzling samba dancers, live music and an explosion of colour at the UK’s most northerly track.

It’s the most colourful day out in Perth all summer and guests are being encouraged to join in the fun by dressing in lime, pink or yellow.

Tickets are selling fast and all hospitality packages have already sold out including spaces in the Club and Galileo restaurants.

The meeting will raise funds for children’s charity CLIC Sargent ; an organisation which provides vital emotional, practical and financial support to young cancer patients and families during and after treatment.

Over £16,000 was raised in 2015, and Perth Racecourse are hoping to smash the target this year. Staff at the racecourse have already started raising funds and will be taking part in this weekend’s Dundee Rainbow Assault Course (August 13).

Hazel Peplinski, chief executive of Perth Racecourse, said: “The CLIC Sargent Carnival race meeting is a huge event in our racing calendar and one which we look forward to all season. It’s an action packed, colourful day which is sure to put everyone in the party mood.

“We are hugely proud to be supporting CLIC Sargent and hope to raise as much money as possible to help this amazing charity.”

Samba dancers from Eletricat Brazilian Dance Group and musicians from the Sambalistic band will be bringing the carnival to the track.

The meeting promises a vibrant, fun-filled day for all the family, and as well as seven thrilling jump races throughout the day there will be face painting, inflatables and even a surf simulator.

The Pimm’s mobile bar will be rolling back to Perth, along with Crabbie’s double decker bus (look out for giveaway sunglasses and flip flops from them). If champagne is more your tipple, there will be plenty of Veuve Clicquot chilling for a day of summer fun and guests can also try new cider Old Mout at the specially-constructed Kiwi Has Landed bar.

Once the racing is over, Perth Racecourse favourites Carbon Copy will be making their return, playing a live set in The Barn until 7.30pm.

Ticket prices range from £17 to £40 and, as always at Perth Racecourse, under 18s are admitted free. Concession tickets for students and over 60s are available on the day at the gate.

Tickets are available to book online at www.perth-races.co.uk.

Gates open 1pm (note the later entry time). First race is scheduled for 14.55 and last race 18.25. Post racing music will on until 19.25.