by Hank Nevins, for Batavia Downs Casino

Batavia NY — Labor Day weekend may signify the unofficial end of summer, but hardly the end of the summer fun at Batavia Downs Casino.

America’s oldest lighted harness track will host four County Fair finals Friday night, September 3, with purses of $8,000 each.

Saturday is Hall of Fame night as The Downs inducts three of Western New York’s all-time top drivers — John Schroeder, Jeff Gregory and Clint Galbraith — in ceremonies at the winner’s circle. Gregory and Galbraith will be in the Casino lobby for a Meet ‘n Greet and autograph session beginning at 5:30 p.m. Also, race fans have a chance to win a set of Clint Galbraith’s colors via a random drawing. Sign up begins at 5 p.m. at Player’s Club.

Monday features the annual Labor Day matinee with a 1:15 p.m. post time and the traditional Driver’s Bike Race following the seventh race. Fans will win the eight Bicycles used in the Driver’s Bike Race by voting for their favorite driver. Sign up begins at 12 noon in the Casino lobby. The eight bike winners will be drawn at random from the winning driver’s box.

But wait, there’s more! Following the ninth race on Labor Day, three fans will be selected by random drawing to enter the Cash Cube and win up to $1,000 in cash and casino free play. Sign up begins at 12 noon. The names will be drawn and announced after the fifth race.

Upstairs on the casino gaming floor, patrons can win $50 in free play with Hot Seat drawings every half hour from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Labor Day food and drink specials include a $7.95 buffet from 12 noon to 4 p.m. in the Clubhouse along with $1.00 Sahlen Hot Dogs, $1.00 soda and $2.00 draft beer all day on track and at the refreshment stand inside The Paddock Room.