Colonial Downs will start the Independence Day celebration a day early with Racing to the Stars & Stripes at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 3, and will continue on Friday, July 4.

The festivities to the two-day celebration include horse racing and will feature a live trackside concert with a patriotic band to accommodate the fireworks after the races. The horse races will be held from 5 to 8:45 p.m. and the concert and fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

After the 4th Colonial Downs will keep the holiday weekend rolling along with Turf N’ Tires Weekend … because what else would pay homage to this great country better than NASCAR?!!!

Turf N’ Tires Weekend stars at 11 a.m. this Saturday, July 5 and Sunday July 6 with the horse races starting at 12:55 p.m.

Turf N’ Tires Weekend is set to include competitive events such as tire change challenge and a RC stock car racing tournament, and will even feature a NASCAR simulator, where riders can feel for themselves the thrill of racing at high speeds.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison will be on hand Saturday for a meet and greet event.  Allison had a successful career with NASCAR that spans 22 years and has a record 84 wins under his belt, making him one of the top all-time greatest drivers of NASCAR.

And if you think this weekend wasn’t enough to satisfy your every NASCAR desire, drawings for tickets to upcoming NASCAR events at the Richmond International Raceway will be held between each of the horse races.

So what else says “I love America” more than fireworks on 4th of July? When you mix fireworks with legalized gambling and NASCAR, you’re sure to have an Independence Day weekend more patriotic and American than apple pie.

Racing to the Stars & Stripes will be held at 5p.m. on Thursday, July 3, and Friday July 4.  Turf N’ Tires Weekend will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, and Sunday July 6.  For more information on any of the two festivals, call Colonial Downs at (804) 966-RACE (7223).