The 25th annual Spa Blast, presented by Budweiser, will kick off the blazing month of July at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming. The event will be held in Oaklawn's infield July 1 with gates opening at 4 p.m.
Country music star Joe Diffie headlines this year's Spa Blast and will be joined on the main stage by up and coming bands Hillbilly Vegas and Blackwater Trio.
Additional acts performing in the gazebo include Jeff Hartzell, Jacob Flores, R&R and Hot Springs Dance Group. The free, family friendly event will also feature a petting zoo, gigantic Kids Zone and Middleton Misting Tent. Immediately following Diffie's performance at approximately 9:30 p.m. guests will be treated to one of the region's most exciting fireworks displays.
The exciting concert lineup at Oaklawn's Finish Line Theater continues with The Monkees on July 22 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of their hit TV show and debut single, "Last Train to Clarksville." The band, with original members Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork, are touring in support of "Good Times," the band's first original album since 1997. During the group's time together, The Monkees amassed a dozen Top 40 hits, including a trio of tunes that soared to No. 1, a news release said. Between September 1966 and December 1967, "Last Train to Clarksville," "I'm A Believer" and "Daydream Believer" collectively occupied the top position for 12 weeks. Sales of their LPs were more phenomenal still as The Monkees occupied the No. 1 position for 13 consecutive weeks, and "More of the Monkees" for 18 weeks.
Oaklawn Racing & Gaming travels to the tropics this month with the Fun Squad for $20,000 Hula Moolah every Thursday from 6-10 p.m. The luau-themed excitement continues with $15,000 Tropical Typhoon July 10 and $15,000 Lava-Rama July 24. Guests can also start earning entries this month for the Bath Planet Home Makeover on Sept. 5.
The $50,000 Summer of Champions Reel Tournament continues through the month with qualifying tournaments Sundays at 2 p.m. and Mondays at 7 p.m.
The top winners each night will receive an invitation to the Summer of Champions Final Tournament on Aug. 7 when two winners will be sent to Las Vegas to compete for a share of $1.3 million in the TournEvent of Champions on Sept. 28.
Horse players will have their final chance to compete for cash prizes and a free entry into the Oaklawn Handicapping Championship Final on July 16. The entry fee is $50 and includes a program and buffet lunch. Players will be given $600 in imaginary money to place 15 Win-Place wagers from five designated tracks. The person with the highest bankroll at the end of the day wins. The final will be held Aug. 13-14 with the top two finishers earning a free trip to Las Vegas to compete in the Horse Players World Series next March.
Lagniappe's Grill offers a southern style catfish special every Wednesday from 5-10 p.m., and every Friday from 5-10 p.m. is steak night where guests can enjoy steak or the catch of the day.
Call 623-4411 or visit http://www.oaklawn.com for more information and a complete list of promotions.
Special dates
• July 1 -- Spa Blast, 4 p.m.
• July 2 -- Spa Blast rain date.
• July 22 -- The Monkees concert, 7 p.m.
Schedule of events
• Sundays -- Summer of Champions Reel Tournament, 2 p.m.
• Mondays -- Summer of Champions Reel Tournament, 7 p.m.
• Tuesdays -- Triple Points.
• Wednesdays -- Southern Fried Catfish Wednesdays, 5-10 p.m.; Humpday Karaoke, 7-11 p.m.
• Thursdays -- $20,000 Hula Moolah, 6-10 p.m.
• Fridays -- Steak Night, 5-10 p.m.; Live entertainment in Pop's Lounge, 5-8 p.m. and Silks Bar and Grill, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
• Saturdays -- Live entertainment in Pop's Lounge, 5-8 p.m. and Silks Bar and Grill, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Live music schedule
• July 1 -- Moxie, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.
• July 2 -- Susan Erwin, 5-9 p.m. in Pop's Lounge; Moxie, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.
• July 8-9 -- Susan Erwin, 5-9 p.m. in Pop's Lounge; Tommy Akers Band, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.
• July 15-16 -- Susan Erwin, 5-9 p.m. in Pop's Lounge; Nerd Eye Blind, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.
• July 22-23 -- Susan Erwin, 5-9 p.m. in Pop's Lounge; Mayday by Midnight, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.
• July 29-30 -- Susan Erwin, 5-9 p.m. in Pop's Lounge; Moxie, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.
Entertainment on 06/29/2016