(Hot Springs, Ark.) â?? The 25th annual Spa Blast, presented by Budweiser, kicks off the blazing month of July at Oaklawn. The event will be held in Oaklawnâ??s infield July 1 with gates opening at 4 p.m.
Country music star Joe Diffie headlines this yearâ??s Spa Blast and he 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. This free, family-friendly event will also feature a petting zoo, gigantic Kids Zone and Middleton Misting Tent. Immediately following Diffieâ??s performance at approximately 9:30 p.m., guests will be treated to one of the regionâ??s most exciting fireworks displays.
The Monkees
The exciting lineup at Oaklawnâ??s Finish Line Theater continues with The Monkees July 22 in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of their hit TV show and debut single â??Last Train to Clarksville.â? The band, with original members Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork, are touring in support of â??Good Times,â? the bandâ??s first original album since 1997. During the groupâ??s time together, The Monkees amassed a dozen Top 40 hits, including a trio of tunes that soared to #1. Between September 1966 and December 1967, â??Last Train to Clarksville,â? â??Iâ??m A Believer,â? and â??Daydream Believerâ? collectively occupied the top position for 12 weeks. Sales of their LPs were more phenomenal still: The Monkees occupied the #1 position for 13 consecutive weeks, and More of the Monkees for 18 weeks.
Oaklawn Gaming travels to the tropics this month with guests invited to join the Fun Squad for $20,000 Hula Moolah every Thursday from 6â??10 p.m. The luau-themed excitement continues with $15,000 Tropical Typhoon July 10 and $15,000 Lava-Rama July 24. Also, guests can start earning entries this month for the Bath Planet Home Makeover September 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 invi¬tation to the Summer of Champions Final Tournament Sunday, August 7 where two winners will be sent to Las Vegas to compete for a share of $1.3 million in the TournEvent of Champions September 28.
Horse players will have their final chance to compete for cash prizes and a free entry into the Oaklawn Handicapping Championship Final Saturday, 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 August 13 & 14 with the top two finishers earning a free trip to Las Vegas to complete in the Horse Players World Series next March.
Joe Diffie
Lagniappeâ??s restaurant offers a Southern Style catfish special every Wednesday from 5â??10 p.m. Every Friday from 5 â?? 10 p.m. itâ??s Steak Night where guests can enjoy the best steak in Hot Springs or if they prefer the catch of the day.
Follow Oaklawn Racing & Gaming on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat for up-to-date news and reminders for whatâ??s happening. For more information or a complete list of promotions, visit oaklawn.com or call (501) 623-4411.
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, 5â??10 p.m.
Humpday Karaoke, 7â??11 p.m.
Thursdays: $20,000 Hula Moolah, 6â??10 p.m.
Fridays: Steak Night, 5â??10 p.m.
Live Entertainment in Popâ??s 5-8 p.m. & Silks 10 p.m.â??2 a.m. (See below for schedule)
Saturdays: Live Entertainment in Popâ??s 5-8 p.m. & Silks 10 p.m.â??2 a.m. (See below for schedule)
