OCEANPORT – Three $100,000 stakes races and the popular BBQ and New Jersey Craft Beer festival will highlight the four-day Labor Day weekend of racing at Monmouth Park starting on Friday, Sept. 2.
The stakes schedule for the holiday weekend gets underway Saturday with the $100,000 Violet Stakes for fillies and mares, 3 and up. The 44th edition of the Violet Stakes will be contested at a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf, according to a press release.
The third running of the $100,000 Rumson Stakes at five furlongs for 3-year-olds and up will headline the Sunday card.
On Labor Day, Sept. 5, the $100,000 Red Bank Stakes will serve as the Monday feature race. The 49th Red Bank Stakes is for 3-year-olds and up at a mile on the turf.
Following the Labor Day weekend, Monmouth will conduct live racing for two more Saturdays and Sundays on Sept. 10-11 and Sept. 17-18 to close out the 60-day meet.
The BBQ and N.J. Craft Beer Festival will run from Saturday through Monday and will feature more than 40 beers in the Craft Beer Garden. All of the beers are brewed in the Garden State.
A total of 16 food trucks will serve as the complement to the craft beers available.
In addition, there will be live music Saturday through Monday from noon to 4 p.m. After the Reign will be the featured performer on Saturday, followed by Chris Morrisy on Sunday and Jessica Rose on Monday.
The N.J. Craft Beer sampling will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday, with sale and check-in for tickets from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Ten 2-ounce samples cost $13 if purchased in advance at www.seatgeek.com/monmouth. On the day of the event the cost is $15 and will be cash only.
Participating breweries are Screamin’ Hill Brewery, Kane Brewing, Toms River Beer, Carton Brewing, Ross Brewing, Frye Brewing Company, Last Wave Brewing, Jughandle Brewing Company, Twin Lights Brewing, Source Brewing, Bradley Brew Project, Icarus Brewing, Battle River, Manafirkin Brewing Company, Beach Haus Beer, Asbury Park Brewery, Red Tank Brewing and Jersey Girl Beer.
The participating food vendors are Cold Stone Creamery, El Lechon de Negron, Enzo’s Pizza and Subs, Five Sisters Food Co., Four Boys Concessions, House of Cupcakes, Local Smoke, Joe Smoke BBQ, Kutz Q BBQ, Ma and Pas Tex Mex BBQ, Magic Mike’s Smoked Meats, NC Ribs on Wheels, NYC Mac Truck, Shore Good Eats N Treats, Twisted Steaks and E Wild Bill’s Old Fashioned Soda.
In addition, free Family Fun Day activities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and will feature pony rides, clowns, face painters and a bounce house.
First race post time Friday and Monday is 2 p.m. First race post time Saturday and Sunday is 12:15 p.m. Parking is free.