Night at the Races Coming

Cheyenne County Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Night at the Races event on Nov. 18 at the Sidney Elks Club.

The Chamber fundraiser event is "a fun time for the community to get together," Denise Wilkinson, Chamber president, said.

"There's eight races, 10 horses each. You can pre-name your horse. And when you win, you win the paper money but also you get into the drawing for a grand prize," she said.

The races are pre-recorded, Wilkinson explained.

"There is a company in Jupiter, Florida, that actually films races," she said. "We contract with them, get the video, so there's only one person here who knows who wins and we don't tell anybody."

Arriving at the event, guests have their bets taken for the races.

"You get to bet your fun-money, it's all paper money, on the races," Wilkinson said.

She added, "It's all play money so we won't get in trouble with the gambling commission."

Classic dress is encouraged. The event boasts a derby hat contest for men and women.

The evening's grand prize for the final race is a fire pit.

The fun money won from earlier bets that doesn't go toward the grand prize can be used for the dessert raffle.

Last year's event was well attended, Wilkinson said.

"It was at Buffalo Point and we were really packed in, so we moved it to the Elks this year to get more room," she said.

Bev Arellano, Keep Sidney Beautiful director, said the trickiest part of bringing the event to Sidney was finding a date for it.

"We were trying to do it around the Kentucky Derby, but with all the school activities we couldn't fit it in," Arellano said. "We thought maybe Fall would be easier, before the holidays, and we picked a day where there's no sporting events going on that day. We're in-between the volleyball and basketball stuff."

Wilkinson said the event is one of her favorites.

"It's like watching your own little horse race," she said. "The excitement builds. People are betting this paper money like it's real."

The festive atmosphere is one needed in Sidney right now, Wilkinson said.

"We need a little fun," she said. "We're kind of wondering right now about things going on in the community, so it's good to have a little fun. People are a little stressed out."

Included with registration is a dinner, with sliders and chicken parmesan sandwiches served, as well as homemade chips and jalapeno coleslaw.

Advance tickets cost $25, and $30 at the door. For more information, contact Cheyenne County Area Chamber of Commerce at (308) 254-5851.