Balmoral Park will play host to the inaugural Chicago Southland Festival of Racing on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2.
The two-day event will be a showcase for Illinois-bred pacers and trotters as the state-breds square off in the $71,000 Mini Me Stakes, $68,000 Loyal Opposition Stakes, $56,000 Incredible Finale Stakes, $54,000 Ann Vonian Stakes and the $50,000 Big Tom & Parklane Powerful Stakes on Saturday. On Sunday the $50,000 Kadabra & Fox Valley Evita Stakes will be contested.
The big weekend of events kicks off at noon on Saturday with the opening of two days of non-stop poker tournaments which will benefit the South Suburban Humane Society. The poker action will be highlighted by a $200 buy-in Texas Hold’em Tournament with the winner receiving a seat in the World Series of Poker.
There will also be a taco-eating contest at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night in the Balmoral Park winners circle. That event will feature four of the Major League of Eating’s best, including the no. two ranked 'eater' in the world, Chicago’s own Patrick Bertoletti. ESPN 1,000’s John Jurkovic and Dan McNeil of 670 The Score will also be on hand for the tournament. The top two finishers will split a $1,500 jackpot.
The non-stop fun continues on Sunday with the second annual Salsa Festival. This free event lets patrons sample salsas from local area restaurants and vote for their favorites. Once again there will be all types of poker tournaments from noon until 10pm that night.
Fans can also visit the outdoor tent parties on both days which will feature live music, $2 Miller drafts and various food specials. The music begins at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information visit balmoralpark.com or call 708-672-1414.
(With files from Balmoral)