Night at the Races | Oxford Leader

Ortonville- Get ready for the second annual Night at the Races.
The event in which guests view and bet on horse races to win a variety of prize packages while enjoying food, a cash bar and each other’s company to raise money for a good cause, is planned for 6:30 p.m., March 25, at the Old Town Hall, 486 Mill St.
Admission for the event is $20, which includes hors d’oeuvres, one bet per race, and the chance to win the grand prize of a weekend getaway to Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, a $250 value.
Sherman Publications Assistant Publisher Don Rush will emcee for the evening.
‘It’s an opportunity to help improve the playground at Crossman Park,? said DDA Executive Director Molly LaLone.
Proceeds from Night at the Races will be used to replace some park playground equipment, which had to be removed last year for safety reasons. Crossman Park is located downtown next to the township offices, 395 Mill St.
LaLone explains that during Night at the Races, guests will see videotapes of previously held horse races such as the Kentucky Derby, in which the names of the jockeys and horses have been taken out. There will be 10 horses to bet on each race, and guests will get ‘funny money? to place bets with.
‘We watch the race and whoever has placed a bet on the winning horse, they get a raffle ticket and that goes in a basket,? LaLone explained. ‘There are two winners for each race and then you go over to the winner’s table and there are prizes of $60 value and greater for every interest you can think of.?
Prizes include a computer expertise package, Coach purses, dinner and sports tickets and more. Last year, 60 tickets were sold to the event and this year, there is room for 80 guests. Tickets can be purchased online at www.downtownortonville.org or in person at the village offices, 476 Mill St.
‘Join us in downtown Ortonville for a bunch of friends watching horses, winning prizes, and most importantly, creating a fun and safe summer for the kids in Ortonville,? said LaLone.
Details: 248-627-4976.

Night at the Races added by Susan Bromley on March 2, 2011
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On March 26, more than 100 people attended the second annual night at the races event at the Old Township Hall. More than $900 was raised to help improve the playground at Crossman Park in Ortonville. Special thanks to Donna Janiczek and Dara Beaudet who ran the event.

Night at the Races added by on March 30, 2011
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Three lengths ahead of its nearest competitor, the bug-eyed reindeer racer appeared to have the contest well in hand.
Perhaps slowed down by the tire tracks across its neck and hindquarters, the Clarkston Auto Body-sponsored, roadkill-themed racer had trouble closing the deal, as other reindeer narrowed the distance.
With a roll of the dice, the decidedly nerdy PC Miracles reindeer, dressed in glasses, khaki pants, white button-down shirt, and tie, closed to a single length behind.
Finally, after much cheering from spectators, dice rollers came up with a number ‘two,? good for a Clarkston Auto Body win at 3-1 odds ? another race come to a close at the Reindeer Races fundraiser, Feb. 20, for Christmas in Action.
‘It was great fun for everybody,? said Diane Midgley, president of Christmas in Action of Oakland County, Clarkston Area. ‘It went really well. Everyone was busy making donations and having a good time.?
Fourteen local businesses and community groups decorated the wooden, wheeled reindeer, and raced them down rows of tables, as determined by the roll of oversized dice.
All proceeds go to Christmas in Action, volunteer group providing free home repairs to qualified, low-income seniors or handicapped homeowners on April 24.
For more information, call 248-618-7433 or check www.ciaoaklandcounty.org.

Night at the races added by Phil Custodio on February 24, 2010
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