Nottingham Greyhound Stadium has announced grand plans to celebrate National Greyhound Week in August with a Family Fun Night organised where kids go free.
The Colwick Park venue will host a bumper evening of family fun and entertainment on Friday, August 29, to round-off the summer holidays and the third celebration of National Greyhound Week.
Twelve live races, a face painting, craft and colouring zone plus garden games and a barbeque will light up racegoers’ trackside experience with doors opening at 5.30pm.
Visitors will also be able to get up close and personal to the stars of the track themselves, and learn more about how greyhounds make wonderful pets once their racing careers end.
Fun-packed evening
David Evans, General Manager of Nottingham Greyhound Stadium, promised a fun-packed evening for racegoers of all ages.
He said: “Whether you’re a regular visitor or attending for the first time, our family fun night will appeal to all ages.
“It’s an opportunity to go behind-the-scenes too, and meet the stars of the track who are simply born to run and love what they do.
“We welcomed record numbers of people to our National Greyhound Week celebrations last year, and are confident of doing the same next month.
“We’re proud to uphold the highest welfare standards both on and off the track and in retirement for our hounds, making greyhound racing today a wonderful, family-friendly, and cost-effective night out.
“Tickets will be snapped up quickly, and we look forward to welcoming as many people as possible on the night.”
Blockbuster week
The evening will cap a blockbuster week for the track, which hosts the Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic and Select Stakes – both worth £12,500 to the winning greyhound – on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25.
Both events will champion National Greyhound Week, a national campaign which showcases the joy and excitement of licensed greyhound racing and supports the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s flagship initiative A Good Life for Every Greyhound.
Since its launch, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain has achieved a 94 per cent homing rate – with 5,795 greyhounds successfully moving onto their new lives post racing.
Homing partners
Nottingham Stadium works closely with several homing partners – including HomeRunHounds, Seaside Greyhounds and West Yorkshire and District Retired Greyhounds – to help find dogs their perfect forever home in retirement.
Dave added: “As exciting as the action on track is, equally important is our commitment to finding suitable homes for our greyhounds.
“Greyhounds are a misunderstood breed by many, with most people believing they are high maintenance and require lots of exercise. The reality could not be further from the truth.
“Greyhounds are calm, incredibly affectionate and require only two short walks each day. They can be homed to flats, boats, the elderly, families – anyone who can provide the required levels of care and love.
“Showcasing this as part of our National Greyhound Week celebrations is so important to our team.”
Tickets for Nottingham Stadium’s family fun night on Friday, August 29, start from just £8 for adults and include access to all evening entertainment.
All U18s go free, free parking is available onsite.
Doors open at 5.30pm with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.14pm.
Bookings can be made online via www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk.
