Belmont Events Schedule

Saturday, May 31:
Belmont Festival at Elmont
On Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Elmont will host The Belmont Stakes Festival Elmont Childrens Olympics at Alba T. Sanforth School, on Hempstead Turnpike. Players and representatives from the New York Dragons Arena Football team will be on hand as fans try to toss the football just like the pros. The Belmont Park Starting Gate will also be there. In addition, a full day of free races, games and kids entertainment, plus a giant Iron Man inflatable, are sure to bring out the kid in everyone.
Sunday, June 1:
Belmont Festival at Chinatown
The Belmont Festival will feature a new event with a decidedly Chinese flavor on Sunday, June 1, from noon 6 p.m. in one of Manhattans most vibrant neighborhoods Chinatown. The Belmont Festival at Chinatown, presented by New York City Off-Track Betting (OTB), is a family-oriented festival complete with clowns, face painters, stilt- walkers, inflatables and a variety of family entertainment and activities for horse racing fans and fans-to-be of all ages. The Festival kicks off at noon in Chinatowns Columbus Park with a traditional Chinese Lion Dance and will feature a large stage for musical entertainment. Children can enjoy pony rides, plus a bounce house. A special appearance by The King Charles Unicycle Troupe, an enormously popular group of young men from the South Bronx, will delight the crowd with their high energy display of basketball on unicycles as they slam-dunk, dribble, pass, jump rope and perform acrobatics all while balancing on one wheel. The Festival will also include a handicapping seminar at 12:30 p.m. so fans can get a "handle" on the upcoming Belmont Stakes. The seminar will be presented by Rick Lang, a well-known turf writer and racing analyst for New York City OTB, along with Jockey Agent, Drew Mollica.
Sunday, June 1:
Belmont Stakes Festival Checkers Championship
The Festival kicks into high gear on Sunday, June 1, during Super Fun Family Sunday, as Belmont Park and Coca-Cola ask track fans to try and set a world record for the largest number of checkers players in one place. Just 7,000 people are needed to top the previous record and become part of history. The Belmont Stakes Festival Checkers Championship, sponsored by Belmont Park and Coca-Cola, gets underway at 1:30 p.m. and is free to enter, with paid admission to Belmont Park. Participants in groups of two will take a seat in a roped-off section of Belmont Parks reserved seating area. Checker boards and Coca-Cola bottle cap game pieces will be provided to all participants, while supplies last.
In addition to the Checkers Championship is a new event that is part of Super Fun Family Sunday: The World of Horses, an equine extravaganza at Belmont Park. The fun starts at noon, with a Parade of Breeds, followed by exhibitions of trick riding, dressage, gymkhana, reining and a performance by the Islip Horsemens Association Drill Team.
Then its time for the Nathans Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, a chance to find out who is top dog when it comes to hot dog eating. A kids contest is first, followed by the grown-ups turn, with the winner receiving the Belmont Festival Trophy and a chance to participate in the finals at Coney Island on July 4.
Friday, June 6:
Belmont Festival at Floral Park
The Belmont Festival in Floral Park is set for 4 p.m. on Friday, June 6, the eve of the Belmont Stakes. Tulip Avenue will be closed as food vendors and bands line the street for an evening of entertainment. Enjoy live performances by Risky Business and top tunes from DJ James McGuire. Local restaurants will offer a full range of delicious foods including the Woodbine Inn, Fallons, Floral Station Deli, Poppys Place and Jamesons Restaurant.
Friday, June 6:
Belmont Festival at Garden City
On Friday, June 6, The Belmont Festival at Garden City kicks off with the First Annual Hat Contest, sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue – Garden City. Show off your elegant style, or a hat of your own creation. Pre-registration will take place at the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, 230 Seventh Avenue. Day of contest registration will be held at 5 p.m. at the Gazebo on the corner of Stewart & Hilton Avenues. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Stylishly Garden City, Whimsically Belmont and Triple Crown Kreative Kids.
All hat contest contestants will march in the Belmont Festival at Garden Citys annual parade, which steps off at 7 p.m. and heads down Seventh Street, then turns up Hilton Avenue to the Village Green (Gazebo) for a presentation of awards. The parade includes marching bands, antique cars and jockeys, and will culminate in an appearance by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. The festivities continue with clowns, street performers and local bands until 10 p.m.
The Belmont Festival is sponsored by the New York Racing Association. For a complete list of Belmont Festival activities and information, visit the New York Racing Associations website at www.nyra.com .
Saturday, June 7:
THE 135th RUNNING OF THE BELMONT STAKES
the test of a champion
The 135th running of the Belmont Stakes marks the 25th anniversary of Affirmeds magical run to the Triple Crown. Catch todays superstar horses as they aim to conquer the mile-and-a-half racing surface of Belmont Park and secure their place in racing history. The 135th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7 brings a fitting and dramatic end to the Belmont Stakes Festival as the worlds best meet in the final leg of the Visa Triple Crown Series. The list of supporting races is impressive and the atmosphere unparalleled as New Yorks biggest annual sporting event guarantees a full afternoon of action and excitement. The guaranteed $1 million Pick 6 adds to the thrill, as the winner will be determined by the outcome of the Belmont Stakes (race 11).
For easy access into and out of Belmont Park on Belmont Stakes Day, the Long Island Rail Road is a good bet. Call 718-217-LIRR.