Fonner Park a Grand Island institution 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 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Handicap, Fonner Park presents live horse racing action from mid-February through mid-May Fonner's live season running Friday through Sunday each week, plus nationwide simulcasting year round.

Fonner Park starts its first race at 2 p.m. weekdays and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays with a 3 p.m. post time with the change to daylight savings time. 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 House, Skyline tables and Box Seats vary 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.

Island Oasis Water Park, softball fields and a soccer complex also are on the grounds. Fonner Park is the site of the Heartland Events Center which opened in the summer of 2006. The events center is an ideal site for cultural, social and sporting events.

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