Kawartha Downs continues to ramp up its summer entertainment offerings, with the next event scheduled for August 5th. General Admission is free for the Agricultural Day, and gates open at 3pm. Antique tractors will be on display, and other attractions include a lamb and rabbit show hosted by the 4H club, a variety of vendors and food trucks from Sammy’s Roadhouse & Grill. Fireworks at dusk will complete the event. A garden tractor pull is a warm up event at 4pm to get spectators ready for the big guns that will be showcased at the main show.
The tractor pull beginning at 7pm features vehicles demonstrating the power of up to 800hp under the hood. Adult admission to this part of the celebration is $20, and admission for kids under 10 is free. Given the popularity of this type of event, organizers are confident they will easily fill the 2500 spots in the new bleachers with an audience that appreciates this kind of event. Competitors are coming from across the province as well as some from Quebec. Spectators are welcome to visit the pit area for autographs from the drivers.
The following day, the venue will host a “Smash and Bash” Demolition Derby on their new asphalt track. Participants prefer this surface to the traditional dirt track, where cars can get stuck or worse, lose some key parts like an axle. Even with flat tires, cars can continue to compete until their engine dies. This event starts at 12:30, with a $20 admission and kids under 10 free. With $10,000 or prize money on the line, the competition will be fierce.
The entertainment continues with live music from Durham region’s rock group, The Charles Street Band, which will perform from 3:30 to 6pm near the grandstand, encouraging guests to stay for the 6pm Saturday Night Harness Racing post time, which is always a free general admission event.
Tickets can be purchased to both August 5th and August 6th events at the door or in advance at ticketmaster.ca and kawarthadowns.com. A discounted “combo ticket” for both events is available on ticketmaster.ca as well.
