Saddle Up: 'Night at the Races' Nov. 9

The is gearing up for a fun night of food, drinks and wagering designed to raise funds for chamber operations and give attendees a chance to network in a casual social setting.

Reservations are due by Oct. 20 for the chamber’s second annual “Night at the Races” event to be held Nov. 9 at the Stow Youth Baseball Party Center. Tickets are $25 per person for dinner, beer and soft drinks. Only tables of eight or more will be available for reserved seating with full payment.

“It’s a very fun casual event, with everybody yelling and cheering on their favorite horses,” said Doris Stewart, chamber executive director. “Fundraisers are important to our bottom line, but it’s also great to have people networking and enjoying each other’s company outside of the normal daily routine.”

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for social hour, appetizers and drinks. Stewart said there will be a large variety of delicious appetizers donated by both chamber members and supporters.

Dinner — an Italian dining buffet created by the SYB hall’s catering staff – will open at 6:15 p.m., with “post time” scheduled at 7 p.m.

Stewart said a professional announcer will be calling the video horse races that will be projected on a large screen. “You get the opportunity to bet on particular horses that will be in a race, just like at the real racetrack,” she explained.

Attendees are encouraged to sponsor a horse for $10 or three horses for $25. Race sponsorships are $50 and several options for program advertisements are available.

Sponsor payments must be received by Oct. 20 to have your name included in the program.

For added fun a prize will be awarded to the person who wears their very best “derby attire,” according to Cindy Kropp of Hair Innovations in Hudson. Kropp, the chamber’s vice president, is co-chair of the race-night event with Dan Mazzola of in Stow.

The evening will also feature an oral auction for a hot air balloon ride, as well more than 30 silent auction items to bid on. Stewart said items already donated for the silent auction include numerous restaurant gift cards, tickets, Akron Civic Theatre season tickets, massages and several hair care products and gift certificates.

Donations of auction items are still being sought and will be accepted through Oct. 31. 

“It’s a great chance for members to donate items that show off the products and services their business offers,” Stewart said. “Whatever it is, we are grateful for the donation.”

This is the second year the chamber has sponsored a “Night at the Races” event, which replaced its longtime annual reverse raffle as one of several major fundraisers held each year.

“We wanted to try something a different that would be a little more casual and less expensive for members and guests. Last year about 140 people attended and it was a really fun night,” Stewart said. “Next year we want to change to a weekend night, but this year we couldn’t get date we wanted.”

Call the chamber office at 330-688-1579 for tickets, to sponsor a race, donate a raffle item or to purchase an advertisement in the program.