Scarborough, ME – The Maine Sire Stakes Championship round takes center stage during Festival of Champions Day on Saturday (Oct. 12) at Scarborough Downs, and with over $500,000 in purse money on the line, this will be the richest day in Maine Harness Racing this season.

Eight Maine Sire Stakes Championship races will anchor the eleven race program which is slated to get underway at 1:30 p.m. (EDT) while a festival atmosphere overtakes the historic grandstand at the southern Maine racing venue.

Fans will be welcomed at a special trackside tented pavilion area that has been created specifically for the event. Sharon Hood and the Dixon Road Band, one of Maine’s premier country music groups will perform in between races, local food trucks will provide tantalizingly delicious food offerings, and a trackside beer garden will be featured.

Local radio station WPOR will be broadcasting live from the Downs throughout the afternoon, registering attendees for a grand prize getaway trip for two to the Luke Combs concert at Mohegan Sun. The only place to register for the trip will be at Scarborough Downs on Saturday and the winner will be drawn trackside at 4:30 p.m.

Admission and programs are free on Festival of Champions Day, and fans will also have the opportunity to enter to win a $1,000 Cash Giveaway and six pairs of tickets to the upcoming Travis Tritt concert in Augusta, Maine.

Face painting and trackside games will delight the kids on Saturday while everyone will enjoy meeting Winnie, Maine harness racing’s mascot, and make sure to check out the Virtual Reality Harness Racing Experience – the closest thing to driving in an actual race!

“This is the harness racing party they’ll be talking about for years to come” said Denise Terry, vice-president of Scarborough Downs. “We wanted to create a festive atmosphere to help showcase these championship races, and with the help of the Maine Harness Racing Commission and the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, I think we’ve come up with the perfect mix.”

Scarborough Downs features live harness racing every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (EDT).

For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or visit our Facebook page.