Horse racing, mini-golf and beach party highlight Monmouth Park's Super Summer Kick-Off

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Monmouth Park will be the site of the Super Summer Kick-Off Party on Saturday as the racetrack opens its gates for the 68th season of horse racing.

(Kyle Leach/The Star-Ledger)

OCEANPORT — As many recognizable structures of the summer beach season are being rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy, one of the season's staples, Monmouth Park, is partnering with the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and The Star-Ledger on Saturday to host the "Super Summer Kick-Off Party."

"This big event will showcase all the businesses that are open," said Grace Hanlon, the executive director of tourism and travel in New Jersey. “It is part of a major campaign to reach people and get the message out.”

Coinciding with the opening day for the 68th season of thoroughbred racing at Monmouth Park, the day-long celebration features a business expo under the grandstand with local exhibitors, a car show in the backyard with both classic and exotic vehicles, a hot air balloon launch featuring the "Monster" balloon, a beach party, sand sculptures, as well as food vendors and live music.

Featured exhibitors include Jenkinson's, Jersey Shore Skim Camp, Weston Gallery, Plumberry Design and LBI Film Festival.

The new logo for the $1 million Haskell Invitational, to be run at Monmouth Park on July 28.

The last time a large group of Jerseyans congregated on the Monmouth Park grounds was less celebrated: the track had opened its gates to many who were escaping flood-damaged homes after the historic surge from Sandy.

"We pitched in for the community and did what was right," said Dennis Drazin, adviser to the Darby Development and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the partners that assumed control of the racetrack from the state last spring.

Hundreds took up residence in FEMA tents in the racetrack's parking lots and when temperatures dropped, were moved into warmer confines under the grandstand.

According to Drazin, over 1,000 utility trucks also crowded the lots as the state tried to quickly rebuild the electrical grid and clear damage.

The new ownership is more than two years into a complete overhaul to make the racetrack a family-freiendly entertainment facility. Nearly $6 million in damage incurred by Sandy (the majority of it to the stable area) slowed their progress, but one of the visible additions is Blue Grass Mini Golf, a pair of 18-hole mini golf layouts.

"Monmouth Park is thriving. We are alive, and we expect a great season of racing," Drazin said.

Monmouth Park officials also unveiled a new logo for its richest race, the $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 28, featuring an ocean blue. The color choice, track president Bob Kulina said is to "let everyone know the Jersey Shore is alive."

Now as the temperature outside climbs upward and the rebuilding of the Shore continues, Monmouth will throw the first beach party of the season to complement its world-class horse racing and a growing family-entertainment atmosphere.

"As a Monmouth County resident, I grew up knowing what a treasure (Monmouth Park) is," Hanlon said.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and the first post for a 12-race card is 12:50 p.m. The activities run from noon to 6 p.m. and the beach party, with live music and food, runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Grandstand admission to Monmouth Park on Saturday is free while clubhouse admission is half-price.

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