The Arkansas Derby in Hot Springs is set for Saturday, March 29, just a few weeks away, and performing the National Anthem is the Razorback Marching Band of the University of Arkansas.
“The Razorback Band is known as ‘The Best in Sight and Sound,’ and will set the stage for Arkansas’s biggest day of racing,” said Wayne Smith, chairman of the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission and general manager of Oaklawn, Hot Springs. “In addition to their pre-race performance, the band will bring their signature energy to the infield, engaging fans and amplifying the electric atmosphere throughout the day. The band’s trumpet section will also perform the Call to the Post for the Derby. It’ll be an unforgettable day of racing and a great display of Arkansas pride.”
The performance is being sponsored by Visit Hot Springs, the city’s destination management organization. “The Arkansas Derby is one of America’s premier Thoroughbred racing events leading up to racing’s Triple Crown and brings tremendous national media attention to Hot Springs and our city’s attractions,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said Thursday. “The Razorback Marching Band’s performance of our National Anthem will add a stirring beginning to one of Arkansas’s favorite sporting events.”
The Arkansas Derby annually attracts some of the best 3-year-old Thoroughbred contenders on the road to the Kentucky Derby. The combination of world-class racing and live entertainment makes it one of the most anticipated events in Arkansas.
The doors will open at 10:30 a.m. on March 29, and fans are encouraged to arrive early to experience the band’s performance through the day in the infield and before the start of the Arkansas Derby at 6:40 p.m.
Go to the Visit Hot Springs website for news on regional attractions, events and places to explore.