Mr. NoDQhere and I are taking a short vacation to Aiken, SC the weekend of the Spring Steeplechase. I bought tickets on line and am curious about what to expect. I got the cheapest tickets in case it doesn’t work out. Shopping? Is it best to plan to spend the whole day? Seating? Food?
TIA! We have never been to the races!
I haven’t been in probably 20 years; when I lived there. The cheapest tickets were just admission, which got your car in. Think “tailgating,” but not the good spots. If you wanted to see the races, you found a spot along the rope and stood there.
I can’t think of any shopping other than the cheap tee-shirts and programs you can buy, and food was the “burger food trucks” you might expect at a fair. It’s a good time, but nothing fancy.
Perhaps someone who has been more recently can chime in.
The Steeplechase is pretty much tailgating as Beaver Breeze said,all the good spots are held by the same people who have had them for years.
However it is still a good time with some top trainers coming, bringing very good horses with them.
For the Spring chase you will see a lot of woman in dresses and hats,men in colorful ties and suits.
If you don’t want to dress don’t worry there are also people in casual clothes,and of course horse clothes!
There is a trade fair with some shopping [not huge like Rolex],much smaller.
Most people bring food [and booze]and you will get very hungry walking around ,smelling all the food people are cooking,if you do not bring any,but I do think there is a burger truck there,and maybe a bar,but you should really bring you own.
A lot of the stores in downtown Aiken have sidewalk sales Steeplechase day if you want to check out the shopping there.
Have fun!
Yes, you take your car and you take your catered gourmet food, and set up your table for alcoholic beverages, and then enjoy the show. Best to pay for a slot right by the track so you don’t have to walk far to see the horses. Or pay for a tent and invite all your friends. There are actually some people who don’t go for the horses but for the social cocktail party.
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