Labor Day kicks off series of big events at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel

Concerts, tasting & sampling fests, ‘Family Fun Day’

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel press release

Labor Day is seen as the “unofficial” end to Summer in Western New York, but Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel will have a number of events stretching through the middle of October.

The festivities start on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, with a special matinee at the races with post time at 12:15 p.m. Labor Day will also see the famous Labor Day Drive Bike Race take place. There will be a chicken barbecue for $30 that includes a ½ barbecue chicken meal with mac salad, red potatoes, roll and butter, along with a can of soda or water. You also receive $15 in Free Play and a $5 wager to be used on that day’s races.

“As summer starts to wind down, our events are picking up at Batavia Downs,” said Byron Brown, president and CEO of Batavia Downs. “As we continue to be Western New York’s premier entertainment destination, we’re adding even more events to our calendar for guests to enjoy.”

A unique event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, when Batavia Downs hosts a cosplay race day for the first time ever. The one-of-a-kind event invites anime fans – specifically those who enjoy the Japanese “Pretty Derby” franchise – to come on out to enjoy a day at the races with cosplay contests and opportunities to learn how to wager on racing. Tickets and details are available at bataviaconcerts.com.

“The Derby cosplay day event is something that many tracks in North America are doing to attract new guests to their racetracks,” said Ryan Hasenauer, vice president of business development. “We’re excited to welcome new people and showcase our facility, including an up-close look at live racing.”

The entertainment continues in the month of September with a tribute to Elton John as Jason Ostrowski performs his Benny and the Rest tribute inside the Park Place Events Center on Friday, Sept. 18. VIP and GA tickets are available in limited quantities. Tickets may be purchased at bataviaconcerts.com.

Two days later, on Sunday, Sept. 20, it’s the return of the always popular “Family Fun Day & Wiener Dog Races.” Family events include face painting and balloon artists, pumpkin decorating and coloring, a magician and other great activities. The famous wiener dog races will commence at 2 p.m., as the fastest wiener dog in Western New York is crowned.

Saturday, Sept. 26 is the return of “Ciders, Seltzers and Sulkies.” For $30, guests can sample various ciders and seltzers and receive a $5 wager on that night’s races at Batavia Downs. Tickets may be purchased at bataviaconcerts.com.

WBBZ’s popular show, “Polka Buzz,” will tape several episodes inside the Park Place Room on Thursday, Oct. 1, with music from Crusade. Tickets are $10 and you get back $10 in Free Play.

In Mid-October, Batavia Downs is once again honored to host the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester “Night at the Races” to benefit breast cancer research and support. This event, on Saturday, Oct. 17, will allow attendees to receive a buffet, $25 Free Play and a racing program for $40. There will be a silent auction onsite. For reservations, call 585-344-6143.

Some of these events have hotel room deals that include tickets. To check out the hotel deals at Batavia Downs, visit https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/hotel-deals/

Western Region Off-Track Betting Corp. is a public benefit corporation with headquarters in Batavia. WROTB owns and operates eight branches, as well as Batavia Downs Gaming, a standard bred racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated over $286 million in operating and surcharge revenues to the taxpayers of participating municipalities.