Closinginon The Cup

Prepare your flowy spring dresses and big hats for the one-day-only event of the spring. It’s the 88th-annual Carolina Cup on April 1

Once again, professionally trained steeds will sprint for a champion title in the Southeast’s biggest horse race right in Camden.

Hannah Marsh, event manager for the Carolina

Cup Racing Association, said this year’s grand prize is $50,000 with up to $140,000 total in prize money up for grabs between the six races.

“It’s a beautiful day of spring racing. Just a lot of fun with family and friends. It’s experiencing things that really only happen one day a year in Camden,” Marsh said. “It’s a family experience for all.”

Although the Carolina Cup Racing Association doesn’t have an exact number of horses racing in the event until closer to the day of, Marsh said the maximum number that can run in each of the six races is about 12. The 2023 event schedule begins with all gates opening at 9 a.m. The Paddock Shoppes and Vendor Village will open shortly after at 9:15 a.m.

Children can enter the Truvista Kids' Zone at 10 a.m . and burn some energy before the Hospitality Luncheon Tents open at 11 a.m.

The annual Hat Judging Contest will begin at 11:30 a.m . in front of the Grandstand.

All in attendance will enjoy a social hour until 12:50 p.m., when the colors will be presented, followed by the national anthem. Then at 1 p.m. sharp, the horses will make their way to the paddock . Post time will begin at 1:30 p.m. New things participants should know is there will be a couple of expansions to last year’s additions.

“The Skyline Club and Kids' Zone will be bigger and better,” Marsh said.

The Kids' Zone will feature more activities for young attendees, and the Skyline Club will expand through the middle of the Grandstand to add more space and a club-level experience, Marsh said.

Participants can attend with a general admission ticket, tailgate, Grandstand ticket seating, The Meadow packages or Skyline Club access.

To purchase tickets, visit www.carolinacup. org or call (803) 432-6513 . Everyone is encouraged to visit the Carolina Cup website for information and to watch the live countdown to April 1.