[an error occurred while processing this directive] Fonner busy year-round 06/30/05
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Web-Posted Jun 30, 2005
Fonner busy year-round


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Fonner Park -- a Grand Island mainstay for more than a half-century -- offers live thoroughbred racing for those who want to cheer on their favorite picks as they race around the back stretch in a neck-and-neck struggle, right down to a photo finish.

Home of the $100,000 Bossel-man/Gus Fonner Handicap, Fonner Park presents 41 days of live horse racing action from mid-February through mid-May, plus nationwide simulcasting year round. The Fonner Park live season runs Friday through Sunday each week.

Fonner Park starts its first race at 2 p.m., weekdays and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sunday from mid February through early May with a 3 p.m. beginning post time in April. Year-round nationwide simulcast horse racing begins at 11:30 a.m. daily.

General admission is free for live races, as well as parking, with preferred parking available. Seating in Fonner Park's Turf Club, skyline tables and box seats varies in price, and group rates are available for 20 or more.

Following the live racing season, simulcast races come to Fonner Park from Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park, Santa Anita, Churchill Downs and many other venues. There is no charge for visitors to attend simulcast races.

Also located at the track is the Fonner Keno Casino Sports Bar. It is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 10 p.m. Sundays.

Besides horse racing, Fonner Park also hosts a variety other community events. Those include a large Fourth of July fireworks display, the annual Hall County Fair, the State 4-H Horse Expo; craft shows plus antique, home and agricultural expos.

Softball fields and a soccer complex also are on the grounds.

Fonner Park, in time, will also be the site of the new Heartland Events Center, scheduled to open in the summer of 2006. When completed, the events center will be an ideal site for cultural, social and sporting events, and will also play a major role in Grand Island hosting large conventions.

Questions concerning Fonner Park and its adjoining ventures can be directed to: Fonner Park, 700 E. Stolley Park Road, P.O. Box 490, Grand Island, NE 68802; phones (308) 382-4515 (general office), (308) 382-8345 (racing office) or (308) 382-4451 (Fonner Keno).
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