Northampton County Fair Horse Racing Track in Massachusetts
The Northampton County Fairgrounds are more of a meeting place for horse lovers than it is for gamblers. This stunning facility, set against the picturesque Holyoke Range, occupies roughly fifty acres of ground. It regularly hosts, not only the 3-County Annual Fair, but also provides the stage for numerous horse-related events that take place throughout the year. However, that is not to say that those who enjoy a spot of gambling will be disappointed. The track hosts a great thoroughbred horse racing program during the month of September as part of the fair program and plenty of wagering takes place at this time.
It is interesting to note that the fairgrounds are located at the geographical centre of New England. This means that Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden are all able to enjoy full use of the facilities during the fair. Another benefit to the location of the grounds is that they are easily accessed from both Interstate 90 and 91. There are a number of motels, hotels and restaurants which fill to the brim each year during the show as people flock to the show grounds to enjoy the festivities. Besides the usual hustle and bustle of an agriculture show, many make their way to the racetrack where a number of horse races take place for the duration of the fair. The grandstand is able to seat as many as 1 800 people and it overlooks the racetrack and the outdoor show ring. There are two arenas which are often used for the horse shows and a number of horse barns with different styles of enclosures available. The grounds have ample parking and admission to the racetrack is free.
The Northampton County Fair racetrack also has good simulcast coverage of all the country’s major horse races for fans of the sport. So if you run out of live races, you can sit down in front of the nearest TV and enjoy the races in this way. Other horse shows held here include the New England Morgan Horse Show which usually draws more than 1,000 Horses from around the eastern half of the country. There are also shows for Quarter Horses, Paints, Hunters and Arabians. The 3-County Fair has a reputation for being the oldest continuously running agricultural fair in the US. Don’t miss out on this great event!
