Foxfield
The horses will be off and running at the 31st annual Foxfield Races September 28 as the steeplechase tradition continues in the rolling countryside of Albemarle County just west of Charlottesville. In anticipation of the races, there will be picnics, tailgating, and tent parties and a celebration of the ninth year for a great Family Day at the Foxfield Races. This premier event attracts thousands of people throughout Virginia and the Eastern Seaboard. Come out and experience this annual fall event, rich in modest elegance and the time-honored sportsmanship of steeplechasing.
Watching a steeplechase race is thrilling, not only for the fans but, also for the horse and rider. During the race the horses run the designated course and, if it is a jump race, they must jump each of the obstacles in the proper order with no interference by other horses or jockeys. At the end of the race, the horses streak over the finish line and the placing judges note their order of finish. The race requires the utmost skill from the rider to become one with his or her horse.
Gates open at 10:30 a.m. and the Family Day festivities begin. All activities are included in the admission price. Family Day’s focus is the Virginia community and their families in a fun environment and introduction to the excitement of steeplechase racing! Enjoy an array of events guaranteed to please the whole family. Children under 8 get in free and children in the Pink and Purple sections must have a sponsor child ticket (at no charge), which you can pick up at the race office.
Schedule of Family Day Events:
- 10:30 a.m. Gates open
- 10:30 a.m.-noon: Pony rides provided by The Other Place Stables
- 11 a.m.: Racecourse walk
- Noon: Jack Russell Terrier races sponsored by Sammy Snacks
- Albemarle Sheriff’s Pipe and Drum Corps
- 12:45 p.m.: Farmington Beagles Parade of Beagles
- 1 p.m.: National Anthem in combination with Aerial Adventures Precision Skydivers
In addition to these great activities, there will also be a Children’s Activity Tent open from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tent will feature The Little Gym, the Virginia Film Festival, Live Arts Theatre, Bright Beginnings Preschool, Wilson School of Dance, Airbrush Gypsy Tattoos, and this year’s beneficiary, Kid Pan Alley.
Kid Pan Alley:
Charlottesville-Albemarle Kid Pan Alley offers children the chance to write a song in their classroom with a professional songwriter and a chance to have their composition recorded by well-known artists in the music industry. The Foxfield Racing Association and Charlottesville-Albemarle Kid Pan Alley will also be hosting “I Used to Know the Names of all the Stars,” a night of music and fun under the stars. All proceeds for this event will go directly to Kid Pan Alley. This event will be held on Friday, September 26. For tickets and more information on this night of family fun, call (540) 322-3615.
At Kid Pan Alley, kids of all ages learn about teamwork, the importance of ideas from everyone, working together as a team, and embracing variety. They also learn to collaborate as a group throughout the songwriting process. This gives kids an outlet to express their feelings instead of striking out in a destructive manner. It also gives them a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work and helps each child feel special and proud of what they have done. Kid Pan Alley has written over 900 songs with over 18,000 children who are great co-writers and participants. For more information about Kid Pan Alley, visit www.kidpanalley.org.
Foxfield Race Schedule:
· 10:30 a.m.: Gates open
· 1:30 p.m.: Post-time, first race
· 4 p.m.: Last race
· 5:30 p.m.: Gates close
2008 Foxfield Sponsors:
This year’s sponsors for the races and Foxfield Family Day include:
- Kentucky Fried Chicken
- Neroli Spa and Apothecary
- Sammy Snacks
- WCAV-CBS19
- WVAW-ABC16
- WAHU-FOX27
- Sharon Donovan, REALTOR®
- The Virginia Thoroughbred Association
- HOT 101.9
- Tom@107.5
Parking and Traffic Patterns:
In order to make getting to the races and getting home a bit easier, Foxfield has a driving plan for every patron and parking area. You can find the plan on your parking pass. Please hang your parking pass on your rearview mirror as you move toward Foxfield in order to keep traffic moving and make it a pleasant and safe experience for everyone attending the races.
If you have a pre-purchased Invitation Parking Ticket (acid green with IP printed in black), please take 250 to Owensville Road, turn right on Garth Road, and proceed to Gates number 1 and 2. This will give you direct access to the Invitation Parking location.
If you have a reserved parking pass in the Pink, Yellow, Orange, Green, or Chalet Tent areas, please take Garth Road from Charlottesville and enter through the East Gate.
If you have a parking pass in the Purple, Blue, or South Hill areas, take Garth Road from Charlottesville and enter through the Main Gate.
Keep in mind that no tickets will be sold at the gate on Race Day. All tickets must be purchased ahead of time.
Ticket Sales Locations:
- Mincer’s
- Greenberry’s at Barracks Road
- Fashion Square Mall
- Timberlake Drug Store on the Downtown Mall
- Crawford Saddlery in Ruckersville
Come on out and enjoy this outstanding equestrian event that combines the thrills of steeplechase with the genteel social atmosphere of a day in the countryside. Excitement and lots of fun for everyone in the family abound at Family Day at Foxfield. It promises to be a day of great entertainment!
