Tioga Downs is excited to announce a series of five star-studded summer concerts coming to the complex this year. Guests of all ages are invited to attend the musical performances by a variety of rock and roll and country music artists.
Rock legend Chubby Checker kicks off the summer concert series on May 30. Tickets are already on sale, and they are going fast. Perhaps best known for his hit song from the 1950’s, The Twist, Chubby Checkers has a talent for getting people on their feet and onto the dance floor. He has continued to produce hit songs in the decades that followed with a recent ballad Changes credited to him in 2013. Tickets range in price from $20 to $30.
Tickets for all shows went on sale April 18 at noon at all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com.
Next up on the summer schedule is Sara Evans, sponsored by Tioga State Bank, on Thursday, July 2. Sara Evans fans will recognize hit songs such as Born to Fly and Stronger. She has released eight studio albums in her career, including two just last year. Tickets range in price from $25 to $45.
On Saturday, July 25, Tioga Downs hosts Hippiefest 2015. The evening features the musical stylings of several seasoned rock and roll bands – Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, Lovin’ Spoonful, Rick Derringer and Badfinger. Tickets range in price from $25 to $45.
A special concert featuring Lee Greenwood is set for Saturday, Aug. 15. All tickets are $15, and proceeds will benefit the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group.
“It just seems fitting to plan an evening to support veterans around Lee Greenwood, a class act and a patriot,” said Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs. “We are so pleased to further our commitment to those who have served our country. In fact, we hope to be able to welcome and honor many veterans that night.”
The summer concert series culminates with BIG & Rich with Cowboy Troy on Sunday, Sept. 6. The country music duo Big and Rich is comprised of Big Kenny and John Rich, both of whom are songwriters, vocalists and guitarists. Tickets for this country music concert range from $35 to $55.
All concerts, except Hippiefest 2015, will begin at 8 p.m. Hippiefest is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. All shows take place outside, regardless of rain.
Tioga Downs offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic roulette. A variety of eateries are also part of the entertainment complex. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. and Vernon Downs in Vernon, N.Y. Gural is in the process of preparing a new proposal to apply for the state’s final full gaming license. Once awarded, Tioga Downs will expand its facility and workforce to accommodate live casino gaming.
In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 700 family-sustaining jobs. For more information on Tioga Downs, visit www.tiogadowns.com.
