Friday, August 18
Red Lion Hotel & Casino

Cocktails & Dinner: 6:00pm
Post Time: 7:00pm

Advance tickets – $40/person, $60/couple
At the door – $40/person

On Friday, August 18th, Communities In Schools of Northeastern Nevada will give horse racing fans a thrilling evening of real race action, all for a great cause. As the local affiliate of the nation’s largest dropout prevention program, Communities In Schools of Northeastern Nevada provides students the resources and services they need to be successful in school and stay on track for graduation.

The Fifth Annual Nite At The Races will be held at The Red Lion Hotel and Casino, with doors opening at 6:00 PM and post time of 7:00 PM. The races are professionally filmed horse races shown on the big screen, allowing attendees to take in all the action and cheer for their favorites. Executive Director of CIS Northeastern Nevada, Melissa Schultz, says “For those anticipating the live horse races at the Elko County Fairgrounds, A Nite At The Races is a great warm up. It’s a wonderful opportunity for race fans to gather with friends and have a fun evening with food, games and dancing.”

Schultz explains that you will receive a ticket for each race and will be able to vote for your favorite horse in each of the 8 races throughout the evening. “Race winners have the opportunity to walk away with some great prizes,” says Shultz. “Several local businesses who are supporters of Communities In Schools have donated gift baskets, gift certificates, and other various prizes to be given away at the event. In addition, the event will feature a prize for the best derby attire, multiple drawings throughout the night (tickets for drawings will be available for purchase), a door prize, and a silent auction with some exciting destination packages and other amazing prizes.

CIS is expecting close to 200 supporters at the event. The Red Lion Hotel and Casino will be preparing a delicious dinner. The bar will be stocked by Blach Distributing. The DJ will be ready to get the crowd out on the dance floor after the races. And the Selfie Spot will be there to capture your memories on film.

Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their “Derby Best”, celebrating in true Kentucky Derby style. Anyone wearing Derby attire will be entered in the Best Dressed Contest. “Last year’s attendees came with some real old home Kentucky style,” reports Schultz. “There were some spectacular hats that will be hard to beat this year.

What makes this event so special is the cause that it supports. CIS of Northeastern Nevada supports children in grades K-12, connecting them with vital resources. Families in Elko and the surrounding areas can face challenges in finding and accessing the services they need. CIS works with community partners, businesses, safety-net providers, churches, service groups and agencies to increase access to existing services or create new services. From food to clothing, health and wellness services, and academic supports, CIS does whatever it takes to keep children in school. In 2015-2016 CIS sent home over 10,189 backpacks of weekend food with food fragile students in 17 schools in Elko and Lander County.

CIS of Northeastern Nevada also reports successful student outcome for CIS Academy participants in Elko High School, Spring Creek High School, and Adobe Middle School. CIS assists students with life skills and behavioral training, tutoring and credit redemption. In 2015-2016, 81% of CIS Academy students improved their academics, while 91% of the CIS Academy 12th grade students graduated.

A Nite At The Races promises to be a thrilling event, combining the excitement of live horse racing action with food, friends, and a festive atmosphere. Ticket prices are $40.00 per person or $60 per couple. For more information and to purchase tickets contact CIS of Northeastern Nevada at 775-753-9183.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 775-753-9183