is chicagoland speedway being torn down

ODekirk says he's been told a crew will continue to maintain the track and grounds so they arent closing up shop justyet. The half-mile is next on the agenda. NASCAR returns to competition on Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, but without fans in the stands. The photo below shows the equipment tearing up the 1/4-mile oval. While we share your disappointment around this news, we truly appreciate and value your commitment to the sport and to the track. ", "They need to cull the schedule down to 28 races and lose the stupid All Star race. Fans who attended NASCAR's Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., . In a file photo from 2018, Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Red White & Blue Toyota, celebrates after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton's 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on J in Joliet, Illinois. The Joliet, Illinois facility, which has hosted the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series since 1998, has remained closed this season, foregoing its NHRA national event date, as well as the long-standing NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl, as it navigated the fallout of the pandemic. Posted March 11, 2021. Chicagoland Speedway is a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) tri-oval speedway with a curved backstretch in Ingalls Park, Illinois.It is adjacent to the Joliet city limits, southwest of Chicago.The speedway opened in 2001 and actively hosted NASCAR racing including the NASCAR Cup Series until 2019. View photos of the Concord Speedway construction below. The track opened in the late 1990s, and for a number of years, it enjoyed hosting two NASCAR races, bringing huge revenue to the Joliet region, notably to the motels and hotels throughout Will County. NASCAR has over recent months, worked on liquidating some assets and releasing personnel following the ISC merge. Warehouses are everywhere in Joliet, and more are coming. The late Henry Lee Furr built the track in 1982. That's sad. Its another shot that these businesses are taking, hotel industry has struggled,riverboats seriosuly impacted, NASCAR was a great event and great weekend, said ODekirk. The excess property is like outlots surrounding a shopping mall that typically are developed as restaurants and free-standing stores. The track is located in Midland, North Carolina, southeast of Concord. The Racing Insiders has obtained a copy of the Joilet, Illinois Planning Commissions meeting notes from its April 16th meeting. The iconic press box at the Texas World Speedway was torn down Thursday. View photos of the Concord Speedway construction below. A year ago, NASCAR announced a $2 billion merger with International Speedway Corp., which owned 12 NASCAR tracks including Joliet, Daytona and Talladega. We are leading Amazon experts, and we're here to help you realize your full potential in the largest marketplace in the world. As exciting as this years Daytona season opener was, its probably not the same as driving down the same old dusty trackway in the summertime. On Tuesday, the Sports Business Journal broke the news on Twitter that Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway is being stripped of its annual NASCAR weekend as part of the 2021 schedule. With all the trucks that are coming through there, that's not really the kind of thing that I can see a NASCAR fan getting excited about. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Thats probably something that even the most die-hard of NASCAR fans will admit to. Willie Millers record-setting night becomes emotional one as Lake Station makes history: Ive been waiting for this my whole life, Photos: Chicago Fire season opener at Soldier Field, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Dragzine, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE! GIFT. NASCARs recent emphasis on road courses, particularly at Indianapolis, has alienated this 50 race fan of over 50 years. Location:San Antonio, Texas. It is, in fact, one of the least profitable sports leagues in North America. The diagram distributed to Planning Commission members shows the race track split into seven sections that are to be discussed about a potential new industrial park. NASCAR is hitting the track again next year, but the Joliet learned there will be no races at the Chicagoland Speedway. The 2019 Daytona 500 drew about 9 million viewers, The New York Times reported in February. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Ticketholders may receive credit for the full amount of tickets plus an additional 20% of the total amount paid to apply towards future race events, the track announced. NASCAR is expected to release the 2021 schedule tomorrow, however, a post on the Chicagoland website by track president Scott Paddock confirmed the 1.5-mile facility will not be included: "With the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule unveiling, came the unfortunate news . Five Lincoln-Way area elementary school districts had planned to hold drive-through graduation celebrations for eighth-graders on the 1.5-mile oval track.Those events also were canceled. . At the tie, no walls surrounded the speedway. "The weapons are stolen, the humanitarian aid is stolen, and we have no idea where the billions sent to this country have gone," a Ukrainian complained to The Grayzone. Lately, it seems, a lot of uncertainty involves Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. The removal of seats at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway came as no . The race track was then built and debuted its race in 2001. International Speedway Corporation was purchased by NASCAR and merged in October of last year. The panel at the time tabled until July 16 consideration of a request to subdivide part of the track property to allow industrial development. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In 2012, weekly racing was brought to a halt on the half-mile. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. NASCAR fans looked forward to this years race events June 18-21 at the Will County track. Its sister facility, the Chicagoland Speedway oval, was also left off revised NASCAR schedules, leaving the complex shuttered and staff out of work. by | Jun 16, 2022 | baja telecaster vs american special | muslim population in spain in 2021 | Jun 16, 2022 | baja telecaster vs american special | muslim population in spain in 2021 Adam Stern Will Chicagoland Speedway be Demolished for an Industrial Park? We promise not to use your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network. Discover The Ultimate Guide To Finding The Best Seats at Michigan International Speedway, The Shocking Truth About Roger Penskes Purchase of the Indianapolis Speedway, The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Seats at Michigan International Speedway, Discover the Shocking Amount Roger Penske Paid for the Indianapolis Speedway. Once the final steel beam is in place, construction will begin on a new $80 million, state-of-the-art speedway. Several weeks after the conclusion of the NASCAR season, demolition and removal will begin in earnest at the tracks that still have a few years left on their contracts. Chicagoland Speedway President Scott Paddock declined comment. Last week, the Route 66 Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway, which share a unified staff, dismissed a number of employees; what we do know is that Route 66 track president Scott Paddock and other members of the staff assigned to the dragstrip remain in place. 32K views 10 months ago #NASCAR #Racing #Chicagoland Chicagoland Speedway is back in the news and it is not for the good reasons fans have been hoping for. The same can be said for Daytona International Speedway. The track seems to have suffered from a perfect storm of circumstances that led many to doubt the facilitys future. Let's hope they can make the 45 mile trip from the city to Joliet when it inevitably moves to Chicagoland Speedway after the street race runs its course. NASCAR will race . Public Welcome. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We are disappointed, but hopeful its a one year thing and not permanent, said Joliet Mayor Bob ODekirk. The speedway currently hosts a NASCAR race and is home of NASCAR Racing Experience and Mario Andretti Racing Experience. The concrete barriers wasnt added until 1984. For racing fans, choosing the right seats can make all the difference in , The Indianapolis Speedway is a legendary racetrack known for hosting some of the most prestigious races in the world, including the Indianapolis 500. News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday, By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Sue Regis: 'Im Inspiring People To Make Positive Life Changes', Mudron Urged Dickinson To Get Ahead Of Private Parts Photo Scandal, Man Fights For Life After Fall At Abandoned US Steel Plant, 35th Annual Arts, Crafts and Food Festival, Playing In The Bar. A recent ownership change of the Joliet track may have contributed to belief that another sale of the property was plausible. Race 17 - Saturday, Jun. Interests:Racing. "It's . Enjoy motorsports, demolition derbies, Monster Truck rallies, car shows, music, rodeos, and more. The same can be said for other iconic tracks such as Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Both are asphalt short tracks. Related: Texas World Speedway Former NASCAR track being torn down. Track officials sent a letter to ticket holders in the fall of 2020 which included the following: "Due to the corresponding impact on the shared resources between Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway, and the future uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic; Route 66 Raceway will unfortunately not be hosting drag racing events in 2021 . Our 1.5-mile tri-oval is home. Areas being removed were going empty, creating a perception problem for tracks and stockcar racing. These are not the kind of cars that fans would want to see but Ford Motor Company is using the seemingly shuttered 1.5 mile super speedway as a parking lot for thousands of new vehicles. When these buildings are torn down, it will be a massive void that many within the industry are unable to fill. The track was first established in 1939 and has been home to some of the sports biggest moments. 21 years later the county has a population approaching 700k. Drop us a line anytime: news@countryherald.com. Residents are so numb to the endless parade of requests for more warehouses that people could be forgiven for believing the racetrack would be torn down to make room for more of them. Pit Bike National Returns to Chicagoland Speedway During NASCAR Weekend. So, he constructed a new 4/10-mile dirt track. She provided a copy of the message to The Daily Southtown. Jones said that the citys subdivision regulations require that preliminary plats shall include all contiguous holdings of land in the same ownership. Documents submitted for the Plan Commissions consideration correctly included 423 acres that covered the racetrack, Jones said, though warehouses were proposed for just 82.3 acres. The good news for fans is that the new owners have vowed to keep the infield untouched, preserving the classic look of the place. However, the 1/4-mile track welcomed Legends machines on a weekly basis. Track officials sent a letter to ticket holders in the fall of 2020 which included the following: "Due to the corresponding impact on the shared resources between Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway, and the future uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic; Route 66 Raceway will unfortunately not be hosting drag racing events in 2021," the letter also said. ASA headlined two events at the track in 2001 and 2003. Story: Chicagoland Speedway, Rt 66 Racway won't host races in 2021. You have entered an incorrect email address! CoPart is an auto auction company. U kunt uw keuzes te allen tijde wijzigen door te klikken op de links 'Privacydashboard' op onze sites en in onze apps. But did you know that the track was sold to racing mogul , Daytona Speedway, a legendary track that has been home to some of the most exciting NASCAR events, might be cutting ties with the organization. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The same nostalgia may be felt towards this track as well, though perhaps not to the same extent as towards Daytona International Speedway. But on Friday, this years Chicago-area race was canceled. (Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images). NASCAR officials will only say the move is part of bold changes to the 2021 schedule. The sport still doesnt make enough money to support the entire industry, though. 5. 4 for Kevin Harvick commented, Saw this picture yesterday of them tearing down Concord Speedway. The track is located in Midland, North Carolina, southeast of Concord. Track News and Announcements. But are we ready to say RIP Chicagoland Speedway? Then, there is the issue of NASCARs declining popularity. HiTech went by Corpus Christi Speedway today (March 10, 2021) and took a couple of pics of the work being done to dismantle the historic facility. The county had a population of around 400k people. Chicagoland Speedway is back in the news and it is not for the good reasons fans have been hoping for. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. Jeff Gordon won the first Cup race there. we have road America just up the road, said NASCAR Vice President of Racing Development Ben Kennedy. Chicagoland's Cup race in 2020 was moved elsewhere because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 1.5-mile speedway has sat unused since then while questions loomed about its future. 42.2k Followers, 282 Following, 1,914 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Chicagoland Speedway (@chicagolndspdwy) Chicagoland Speedway (@chicagolndspdwy) Instagram photos and videos chicagolndspdwy Tight finishes in . Once the construction process is finished, the track will open for business in October 2024. The entire process is set to take around six months to complete. Moving on to Talladega Superspeedway, which is also set to be demolished this year. Marketing director Jennifer Campbell stated in July 2019, I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all the competitors, teams, fans and coworkers that I have had the pleasure to get to know during my past ten years while working at Concord Speedway. Its an unbelievable place. To tell you the truth, I think that the facility, the operations have maybe seen their better day, said Bressler. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. We want to thank the Chicagoland Speedway for its generosity in the initial planning of such a memorable event and understand its decision to close operations in these uncertain times, Rains wrote. is chicagoland speedway being torn down. Late models became the headline weekly class. Being from will county, we tend to appreciate the past after it's gone. JOLIET - NASCAR will not be returning to Chicagoland Speedway in 2022. The layout of the track itself has remained relatively the same since it was first built in 1967. DRIVE a NASCAR race car by yourself on the Chicagoland Speedway-a 1.5 miles tri-oval speedway which has 18 degrees banking in the turns. The president of the speedway says he hopes to work with NASCAR to bring races back to this speedway. This trend isnt expected to reverse itself anytime soon as NASCARs popularity continues to rise, spurred on by the right formula of drivers, great tracks and the right marketing strategy. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The Chicagoland Speedway is a 1.5 miles tri-oval speedway which has 18 degrees banking in the turns and is located in Joliet, Illinois just southwest of Chicago. Andrew has been involved in motorsports from a very young age. So today Ill go over the good, bad, and ugly of this situation.My Twitterhttps://Twitter.com/IceTitan80 My Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theiceberg_ytMy TikTok:https://vm.tiktok.com/gooC4X/My TeeSpring Store:https://teespring.com/stores/the-icebergVideo Credits:ABC SportsDale Earnhardt Jr.s Dirty Mo MediaDave WDeleted AccountDumindu MeegahawatteESPNFOX SportsJake BaskingerKingCuervo88Motorsports on NBCMr AutosportfanNASCARNASCAR on FOXNASCAR ProductionsNBC SportsPhantom SpeedSlickGeniusSweigertTV1 DroneTurner SportsYouTube Audio LibraryThumbnail Credits:NASCARNASCAR ImagesOutro Song:Strange Animal (Crowder Remix) by GowanSongs:Hang Ups (Want You) | YouTube Audio Library#NASCAR #Racing #Chicagoland Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway has been a central member of the Joliet / Greater Chicagoland area for 20 years, and we will continue to operate as an integral part of our community. Over its 19 year history at the track, there have been a total of 14 different Cup Series winners. Nonetheless, the track should remain a popular destination and viable entertainment option for many years to come. 3 sportsman schedule with an event scheduled on the weekend of August 5 - 7, 2022. International Speedway Corporation was purchased by NASCAR and merged in October of last year. Last week NASCAR announced they would not race at the track in 2020 due to COVID-19, and most of the staff at the racetrack were released from their duties. Shocking News Revealed! Chicago's Route 66 Raceway To Remain Closed Though 2021 Season By Andrew Wolf September 29, 2020 The Route 66 Raceway dropped a bombshell today, announcing that it will not contest drag racing events in 2021, due to a range of factors, not the least of which is the long-term uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic. The shocking news has left fans and industry insiders stunned, and . Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk joined the Afternoon Rush to speak of the future of Chicagoland. The Daytona Road Course will also not return in 2022. Sunday, February 6 Clash (L.A. Memorial Coliseum), Sunday, June 5 World Wide Technology Raceway, Sunday, June 26 Nashville Superspeedway, Sunday, July 31 Indianapolis Road Course. Thank you for your continued support. , Its a story that made headlines around the world: in 2019, motorsport mogul Roger Penske purchased the legendary Indianapolis Speedway for an undisclosed sum. Originally it was a .4-mile dirt track and was reconfigured to a half-mile tri-oval in 1993. The Magnificent Mile And A Half: Chicago's Home For Stock Car Racing. While Chicagoland Speedway has not been active since Alex Bowman's win in 2019, the . Noted Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway PresidentScott Paddock in a prepared statement: With the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series schedule unveiling, came the unfortunate news that Chicagoland Speedway will not be part of that lineup. However, it wasnt until 1991 when the track was reconfigured, adding a dogleg and making the three corner oval. Family. The NASCAR Southeast Series made its debut in 1997. May 8, 2020. COVID-friendly outdoor entertainment located near Chicago at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL. The following year will mark the 70th anniversary of Chicagoland Speedway, which will no doubt attract a whole new generation of NASCAR fans. The following comments were posted on the thread for the Sports Business Journal news blurb: ts annual NASCAR race weekend June 18-21. EVER. It also provides fans with a whole new perspective on the sport from a glass booth. Talladega Superspeedway has also been significantly updated with a state-of-the-art video booth, digital scoreboards, and a new seats and paddock area. Chicagoland Speedway is certainly not the only NASCAR-related building set to be demolished this year. The Speedway was snubbed for the third consecutive year after the sport released the 2022 schedule earlier today. JOLIET, IL Millions of people from across the U.S. have flocked to Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway for more than 20 years to watch NASCAR races that are televised across the nation, but Joliet's track may not have a future. This is mainly because Talladega Superspeedway is less than an hour drive from the fans home. The ratings would increase due to less product. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Find Highway 41 (Lake Front Trail) by Lake Michigan and travel South, then take the Highway 55 (Stevenson Expressway) West to Highway 355 South, travel to Interstate 80 West to Joliet, Illinois. The CARS Tour did not return following a race in 2017. Route 66 Racetrack being used to store vehicles Who said there would never be cars on the track again at Chicagoland Speedway? For the area to permanently lose it, we lose a part of our story. 25 - Michigan International Speedway. It's probably too late to turn back now anyway. We take pride in our experience and quality services that we offer our clients. The post was widely shared on social media and was based on documents presented at an April 16 meeting of the Joliet Plan Commission. All of our fans have exhibited a tremendous amount of allegiance and patience over the past year, during which time we all have experienced significant challenges. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The sport has lost 50% of its audience since 2005, according to multiple reports. Ivan laughs and pans his phone's camera across the . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. There are not a lot of details available on the record right now, except for one. Summit Hill is now working with the Will County Sheriffs Office on plans for a drive-through graduation event May 29 in the parking lot of Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Rains wrote. Exclusive: Is Chicagoland Speedway being reduced to an industrial complex? asked a headline of a post published Sunday on a media site that covers motorsports. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The event took place on June 20 at the track and was watched by a worldwide audience of nearly 300 million people. They may not have to travel as far as they do for a Daytona race to feel like theyre back in their childhood. The fencing has been removed and theyre beating away at the asphalt. Mike McCain had this to say about his pics: THE FORK LIFT was heading back to the torn down . Link to the article: https://kickinthetires.net/news/exclusive-is-chicagoland-speedway-being-reduced-to-an-industrial-complex/ Officials with the City of Joliet and NASCAR met a month and a half ago to discuss the future of the property. Ahead of the 1997 season, David Laton purchased the track. Will the racing brand truly go out with a bang or a whimper? The addition of the Pit Bike race adds to an already action-packed line-up of content, including the BBQ SmokeDown, the Carnival, concerts and more.. The facility features a 1/2-mile tri-oval as well as a 1/4-mile oval. Finally, due to the corresponding impact on the shared resources between Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway, and the future uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Route 66 Raceway will unfortunately not be hosting drag racing events in 2021. Baby Jessica, it appears you've fallen into the well. Furr previously operated a dirt track which was sold. On Tuesday, the Sports Business Journal broke the news on Twitter that Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway is being stripped . Raced go karts out back, raced my first legend car race there, my first ASA race there. Wanneer u onze sites en apps gebruikt, gebruiken we, gebruikers authenticeren, veiligheidsmaatregelen toepassen en spam en misbruik voorkomen, en, gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content weergeven op basis van interesseprofielen, de effectiviteit meten van gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content, en, onze producten en services ontwikkelen en verbeteren. As NASCAR returns to competition on Sunday, May 17 at Darlington Raceway (Darlington), Chicagoland Speedway's (Chicagoland) NASCAR Cup Series weekend has officially been canceled as part of the revised NASCAR schedule. It is an exciting time for the sport as it looks to build upon the successes of the past year and continue cementing its position as Americas #1 racing series. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! Chicagoland Speedway race weekend cancelled. These are truly exciting times for NASCAR fans as more and more of its historic tracks are set to be torn down and replaced with state-of-the-art facilities. Saw this picture yesterday of them tearing down @ConcordSpeedway .. No Cover, All Welcome, 21+, NL VFW Sunday Jackpot Raffle Prize $14,830. Click here to exit the well. Several factors may have contributed to social media users believing the misleading report that warehouses might replace the entire racetrack. We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request. Is Daytona Speedway Breaking Up With NASCAR? Districts planning graduation events at the track in late May were New Lenox School District 122, Frankfort Township-based Summit Hill School District 161, Mokena School District 159, Frankfort School District 157-C and Manhattan School District 114. In 1999, Laton repaved the track, replaced the barriers and fencing. The Fabtones. Playing a 1960s Dance Tribute. (Armando L. Sanchez / TNS). Chicagoland Was Originally on Another Schedule. CoPart USA is now the owner of the track. The NASCAR Cup Series changed up its schedule a bit this year, so instead of the Chicagoland Speedway race being the first of the 10-race playoffs in the fall, it's this weekend just shy of the . However, it wouldnt make sense from a business standpoint to pull the plug on such a major investment. RELATED:NASCAR to allow limited number of fans at upcoming races in Florida and Alabama. In 2018, the Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series was the headline of the season along with the North-South Shootout. 21+, NL VFW Post 9545 Auxiliary Chicken & Dumplings Sunday, NL VFW Tues Bingo, Up To $24,950 In Prizes-Vets Raffle $150 Target Card from Lori Fischer Realtor, Illinois 16 or 8-Hour Illinois Concealed Carry Classes $160, Celebrate National Oreo Cookie Day with $3 Oreo Cookies & Cream Shakes @ Burger 21 Orland Park, Mark Skorusa Loan Originator powered by Rocket Mortgage NMLS #2347622, Stabbing At Minooka Business: Paroled Suspect Captured In Arby's, Brandon Road Bridge Closure: It Won't Be As Long As You Think, Joliet Central High School 2022-2023 Top Ten Mr. and Ms. J Finalists, Multiple Bomb Threat For Joliet's Hollywood Casino, Angry Gunman Confronts Homeowner On Ingalls: Cops, "Wow. With NASCAR again leaving Chicagoland off its schedules in 2021, the speedway would appear poised to limit its financial losses across both facilities by remaining closed until at least 2022. In 1986, Furr decided to pave the speedway. UPDATE 2: The future of the Chicagoland Speedway will not be affected by plans for a new industrial complex and the track itself, will be spared, Kickin' the Tires (KTT) has confirmed. With over 70,000 seats available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Rumors swirled about the tracks impending closure and demolition and prompted the city of Joliet to issue a clarification news release late Monday. NASCAR and many other businesses that rely on crowds may be facing their toughest year of business. Each template in our ever growing studio library can be added and moved around within any page effortlessly with one click. Temporarily located on the Streets of Chicago until 2025 (or until bureaucracy shuts it down) . The coronavirus pandemic has created uncertainty in many areas. NASCAR is looking to lessen its footprint with several tracks, Chicagoland . Quote Tweet. These iconic structures hold a special place in the hearts of many fans throughout the United States. ?Chicagoland Speedway: Development plans suggest NASCAR track will be torn down. We'll send you the most interesting Dragzine articles, news, car features, and videos every week. In 2020, the track was closed amid the pandemic, and in 2021 remained closed to the drag racing community. The Chicagoland Speedway hosted Nascar events for more. Be part of the "ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE" with driver meet-and-greets, pre-event tailgating, overnight camping accommodations, kid-friendly outdoor activities, fireworks shows, and more!