Tickets are now available for the Virginia Gold Cup, which celebrates its 99th anniversary on May 4 at Great Meadow in The Plains.
There are a number of ticketing options for the steeplechase events that attract more than 30,000 people and bring out folks for a widely competitive hat contest against the picturesque backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
General admission tickets are priced at $50, providing a dedicated area for folks who just want to see the race through the Jumbotron. For a more upgraded experience, the Tavern Tent ticket at $150 will have food and beverages included.
For $250, the new 1922 VIP Club option grants access to a full bar with signature cocktails, music entertainment, and to the prestigious Member’s Hill. The VIP Club option gives you access to a private tent on the rail with prime view of the race course, a betting booth, private restrooms, and souvenirs. You have access to the winners’ circle and the paddock. You can also stay to watch the Kentucky Derby on the tent’s closed circuit television screen. Ticket proceeds support the National Steeplechase Association’s charity fund, which cares for athletes and industry employees.
Parking is not included with the general admission and 1922 VIP Club tickets. Parking will cost an additional $100 and a rideshare pass, $10.
VIP tailgating experiences range from $250 for a couple’s package to $895 for a prime location on the front rail, accommodating up to 10 guests. Larger groups can opt for the North or South Chalet tailgate experience for up to 75 guests at $3,600. These tickets include a tent, fenced patio, and reserved parking for 25 cars.
Member’s Hill, the centerpiece of the race day, supplies premium viewing for individuals and corporations. Individual options include Steward Stand Rows ($895–$795), Broadview Boxes, and Oakwood Tailgates ($795), each along the racecourse with 10 wristbands, and car passes.
Corporate tent packages range from the Skybox Tent ($1,800) for basic needs, up to the Platinum Tent ($14,000) for the most luxurious experience, each including tents of varying sizes, fenced patio areas, parking passes, and additional features like private restrooms and closed-circuit televisions.
Gates open for the Virginia Gold Cup at 10 a.m. The tailgate judging starts at 12:45 p.m. and the races start at 1 p.m. Great Meadow is located at 5089 Old Tavern Rd.
Feature image courtesy Virginia Gold Cup
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