By Kathleen Whitlow
Central Virginia's "Rite Of Spring"
Each year when spring begins, many
Richmonders and out-of-towners, alike,
look forward to a long-standing tradition
that rings in the season - The Strawberry
Hill Races. The event is, of course, a day
of steeplechasing, with all the frills of
a traditional horse race, but it is also a
unique day of fun at the race track and
Central Virginia’s annual “Rite of Spring.”
On Saturday, April 11th, 2009, The
Strawberry Hill Races will be held at
Colonial Downs in New Kent County,
Virginia, where they have taken place
since 2000. The races were first held
in 1895 on Broad Street Road, with the
charter run known as “Deep Run Hunt
Cup.” Subsequent runs were held at Ginter
Park and later, on the grounds of today’s
Country Club of Virginia. The races are
named after the farm, Strawberry Hill,
where the races were held on Laburnum
Avenue from the 1970’s until the late
1990’s, when the races moved to Colonial
Downs.
To many, this is a day to come out
and watch one of
their favorite sporting
events, but to others it’s
a chance to get an early
jump on spring while
enjoying time spent with
friends and thousands
of other race day partygoers.
Big, floppy hats, sundresses, polo’s, and
suits and ties are part of the race attire and
what many people associate with going to
a horse race. While colorful spring dress
is definitely present at the Strawberry
Hill Races, there is some other criterion
that has come to be associated with this
steeplechasing event – the race’s annual
theme and the lengths to which people go
to celebrate it.
Past themes have included ‘The Spirit
of ’76’, ‘Colts, Celts, and Kilts’, ‘Walkin’ in
Memphis’, and ‘A Diamond Jubilee’. To
celebrate each year’s theme, many racegoers
spare no expense and pull out all the
stops to make sure their race day event is
top-notch.
This year’s
race has a theme
of Casablanca.
Race-goers are
encouraged to decorate their
space to look like the Moroccan city of
Casablanca during the 1940’s, dress as the
characters from the movie, serve delicious
Mediterranean food, and make the scene
at their space look as if it came straight
out of the film.
Spaces along the outside of the track,
both on and off the rail, can be reserved.
Those who have reserved a space can
park one vehicle and decorate the space
with that year’s theme to be judged in a
competition for best-decorated tailgate
space. For those desiring a more upscale
and sophisticated experience, you may
reserve space at the third floor Jockey Club
Skysuites, which includes sumptuous buffet for either two or four people,
closed circuit TV at your table, outdoor
grandstand viewing area, one carload
pass with VIP parking and more.
If you choose not to purchase a rail
space, there are still ways to gain access to
this lively spring event with the purchase
of either a shuttle pass, a carload pass, a
limousine pass or a busload pass. All of
these passes allow the purchasers to get
into the races and to go to their designated
locations.
Another fun aspect of this festive event
is the tailgating that takes place along the
dirt track. Groups you may find tailgating
at the races include: young adults with
kegs of beer and the latest tunes playing,
families enjoying the warmer weather and
each others’ company, and adults sipping
champagne and other cocktails with an
elaborate spread of all kinds of delicious
fare.
To experience all that this
steeplechasing event has to offer many
race-goers don’t just stick to the festivities
in their rail space, they stroll around the
approximately one-mile long track to
see what other celebrations are taking
place. It is not uncommon for people to “space-hop” to see what their friends and
fellow Richmonders are doing at various
tailgating spaces.
Strawberry Hill Race Week is packed
with an assortment of events that help
raise money for local charities and
the State Fair of Virginia Scholarship
Program. This year’s special events
include Special Olympics Alpine Skiing
Championships, Boomer Ball, Children’s
Museum of Richmond’s Annual Birthday
Bash, Richmond Ride, Four-Course
Fondue Feature at the Melting Pot, Sushi
Stampede at Moshi Moshi in Carytown,
Wine on Wednesday, and Martinis for
Mutts.
The Strawberry Hill Races are the perfect
opportunity to venture out after a long
winter and take advantage of some warmer
weather, while enjoying steeplechase
racing, socializing with friends, and a
great outdoor party celebrating Central
Virginia’s annual “Rite of Spring.” I look
forward to seeing you there! |
