by Tammy Knox, publicity director, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Hoosier Park Racing and Casino will kick off a summer-long grand opening with “Fire It Up on the Fourth,” giving guests an entire holiday celebration. Live harness racing begins with an early post at 3:00 p.m. on July 4. Racing will be followed by a free concert by Davy Jones, lead singer for the popular 1960’s group, The Monkees, at 8:00 p.m. and fireworks at 10:00 p.m. on behalf of the Anderson, Ind. community.

Jones will perform at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino outdoors in “The Yard,” which is the area between the grandstand and the racetrack. Seating will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Fans are welcome to bring in lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy horse racing, Davy Jones, and fireworks during the night tagged as “Fire It Up on the Fourth.”

A native of Manchester, England, Jones became an international teen idol with the Emmy award winning television show, The Monkees. He is known for such great hits as “Daydream Believer.” Jones is also an accomplished horseman, and enjoyed a short stint as a jockey. He rode his first winner, Digpast, in 1996 in England.

Racing and entertainment fans will have access to several specialty food items located in “The Yard.” BBQ and refreshments will be served outdoors beginning with live racing and continuing on through the fireworks. Dollar Fridays, which includes $1 draft beer, $1 hot dogs, and $1 wagers, will also be available.

To complement racing, entertainment, and fireworks, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino continues with the “Big Bang Beemer” giveaway. Members of Club Centaur can swipe their cards each Friday through August 8 to enter the contest. One lucky fan will drive home in a 328i BMW Sedan, which is on display at the main entrance to the casino, or choose $25,000 in cash each Friday throughout the promotion. The lucky winner will be drawn just after 10:00 p.m. However, participants do not need to be present at the time of the drawing to win. Membership into Club Centaur is free and can be obtained by stopping by one of the Club Centaur Rewards Center locations at the main entrance of the casino or racing facility.

In addition to registering for the “Big Bang Beemer” giveaway, five lucky Club Centaur Rewards fans will go home with $1,000 in bonus cash. The five $1,000 cash giveaways will be drawn at 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m., and 12:00 midnight. Participants must be present to win. To be eligible for both the “Big Bang Beemer” giveaway and the cash drawings, members must swipe their cards between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. each Friday during the promotion.

Saturday Spectacular Sweepstakes will be featured on Saturday, July 5, during the live harness racing program that begins at 6:45 p.m. Each Saturday throughout the spring racing season, three fans have gone home with their share of $1,000 in cash. The promotion will come to a close on Saturday, July 5, with one participant winning their share of $10,000 in cash. The drawing will be held just after 10:00 p.m. to establish the winner of the grand prize. Club Centaur Rewards members are eligible by activating their entries from 11:00 a.m. until 9:59 p.m. Saturday just by swiping their cards at one of the Club Centaur locations.