Harrisburg, PA — If you haven’t made your room reservations for the U.S. Harness Writers Association’s annual Dan Patch Awards banquet, presented by Caesars Entertainment, on Sunday (Feb. 25) at the luxurious Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., it’s time to do so now.

If you are planning to attend the gala festivities that will honor the best equines and humans in the sport in 2023, room reservations must be made by Friday (Feb. 2). For a direct link to the Rosen Centre special page to make USHWA room reservations, please click here. Depending on availability, rooms may still be available after Feb. 2 but can only be made by calling the hotel directly at 800.204.7234 and asking for the “Dan Patch Awards rate.” All standard rooms under the USHWA block are $199 nightly (plus applicable taxes). Attendees looking for a king bedroom can place the request under the comments section, and those will be assigned by the front desk based on availability upon arrival.

This year’s banquet gets underway with the Red Carpet cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., with the awards ceremony starting promptly afterward. The highlight of the evening will be the much-anticipated announcements of Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year and E. Roland Harriman Horse of the Year.

Tickets for the Dan Patch Awards banquet are $200, with a filet mignon dinner featured. There is also a reduced-priced menu option for children 12 and under. Dinner tickets must be ordered by Tuesday (Feb. 20). Dinner tickets can be ordered by contacting Judy Davis-Wilson at zoe8874@aol.com or 302.359.3630.

With more than 1,300 rooms, the impressive 24-story Rosen Centre is just 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport and soars high above all of International Drive’s best nightlife, shopping and attractions.

Guests can enjoy the outdoor Olympic-size tropical pool or quench their appetite at one of the hotel’s nine dining and lounging options. By mentioning the “Dan Patch Awards,” Dan Patch attendees will receive a 10 percent discount at The Spa at Rosen Centre. Dan Patch attendees will also receive a 10 percent discount at the following select restaurant outlets: Everglades, a fine-dining experience with offerings including prime steaks and fresh seafood; Café Gauguin; Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill; 98Forty Tapas & Tequila; and Banshoo Sushi Bar.

For any attendee wishing to travel the short distance to Rosen Shingle Creek, the 10 percent discount will also be available at restaurants including A Land Remembered and Cala Bella by mentioning they are with the U.S. Harness Writers Association upon making reservations or with the server. Anyone who wishes to play golf at Rosen Shingle Creek can do the same and receive a 20 percent discount.

To inquire about several sponsorship opportunities available for the weekend please contact committee chairman Shawn Wiles at swiles@empireresorts.com or 845.798.4074. Other inquiries about the Dan Patch Awards dinner can be made to USHWA president Barry Lefkowitz at barryl22@aol.com or 215.681.0697.

To take out a congratulatory ad in the popular USHWA journal, please contact Kim Rinker at trotrink@aol.com or 708.557.2790. The deadline to place an ad in the journal is Wednesday (Jan. 31).

All standard rooms under the USHWA block are $199 nightly (plus applicable taxes). For room reservations, please click here for USHWA’s dedicated hotel link. Attendees looking for a king bedroom can place the request under the comments section, and those will be assigned by the front desk based on availability upon arrival.