Del Mar Racetrack is looking ahead to its highly-anticipated summer ‘meet,’ filled with concerts and events that will bring thousands of locals and vacationers to the famous seaside track for the unparalleled summer scene of big bets and even bigger hats, ice-cold cocktails and elite entertainment. The seven-week meet is the official kick-off to summer in San Diego with Opening Day on Wednesday, July 19, and the action continues through to Labor Day, Monday, September 4.
More than 40,000 fans are expected for Opening Day, a long-standing summer tradition in San Diego known as one of the most fabulous, fashionable and fun festivities in the West. The famous Opening Day Hats Contest will turn heads, as many fashion-forward trendsetters will strut their finest and most extravagant attire for the big day.
Excitement will continue throughout the season with free concerts from some of the nation’s best musicians, festivals featuring locally crafted cuisine and award-winning beers that San Diego is known for, along with many of the nation’s top horses, trainers, and jockeys. Offering some of the best entertainment in the region, Del Mar’s Summer Concert Series gives music-goers the chance to catch a free show every Friday and select Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season. This year’s lineup features an impressive array of talent, including long-time hip-hop star Ludacris, Violent Femmes, indie rockers Lord Huron and The Revivalists, country star Billy Currington, and with EDM-star Steve Aoki to list a few.
2017 Del Mar Summer Concert Series Lineup:
Friday, July 21 – Tribal Seeds;
Friday, July 28 – Violent Femmes;
Friday, Aug. 4 – Eagles of Death Metal;
Saturday, Aug.5 – Country Fest starring Billy Currington
Friday, Aug. 11 – Special Guest;
Saturday, Aug. 12 – Ludacris;
Friday, Aug. 18 – Steel Pulse;
Friday, Aug. 25 – Lord Huron;
Saturday, Aug. 26 – Slightly Stoopid;
Friday, Sept.1 – The Revivalists; Sunday, Sept. 3 – Steve Aoki;
All performances will take place in the seaside concert area, located at the west end of the grandstand. Performances begin shortly after the last race of the day and are presented by Coors Light. All concerts are 18 years and older and free with the purchase of standard $6 racetrack admission. For concertgoers entering after the day’s final race admission is $20.
In addition to being the perfect place to enjoy top-tier entertainers, Del Mar brings together the best of San Diego’s buzzing culinary and craft beer scenes.
Craft beer enthusiasts will enjoy two of the best food combinations in the world at Burgers and Brews event on Saturday, Aug. 12 and the Craft Beer and Pizza Festival on Saturday, Aug. 26. Back again to dish out the best SoCal bites on four-wheels is the Food Truck Festival on Saturday, July 29. Country fans shouldn’t miss “Country Fest,” which includes the famous chili cookoff and a concert featuring country star Billy Currington on Saturday, Aug. 5. Then, barbecue lovers can taste dozens of smoked meats at Del Mar’s BBQ State Championship on Sunday, Aug. 20. Closing weekend will be highlighted by the second Tacotopia at the Track, when 40 of San Diego, Los Angeles, and Tijuana’s best restaurants and food trucks compete for our region’s highly sought-after ‘Best Taco’ title on Sunday, September 3.
Some fun-filled dates for the entire family begin on Sunday, Aug. 6, with Del Mar’s “Supersized Family Fun Day and Webkinz Horse Giveaway,” providing an abundance of engaging activities for little ones. Also, children can enjoy a morning of free donuts, juice and the chance to get an up-close look at the Thoroughbreds as they complete their morning workouts during Donuts Day at Del Mar on Saturday, July 29 and Saturday, Aug. 12.
Exactly one month from Opening Day, Del Mar will present its premier race of the summer, the $1-million TVG Pacific Classic, on Saturday, Aug. 19. The mile and a quarter Grade I testing is one of the west’s foremost prizes and eligible to attract several of the best horses in the country. Arrogate, considered by many currently to be the best horse in the world and the winner of the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic, is a likely candidate for the Pacific Classic.
Summer racing takes place Wednesday through Sunday with the one exception of Closing Day, on Labor Day Monday (9/4). First post daily will be at 2 p.m. The first post on Friday’s will be 4 p.m. with the exceptions of Aug. 25 and September 1 when the first post is 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 858-755-1141 or visit www.DelMarRacing.com.
