Promoters cancelled the final day of Festival Santa Anita after drawing only 5000 of an anticipated 60,000 people. This was the first music event at Santa Anita Park.
The Arcadia City Council unanimously decided to allow music and entertainment events at the 320-acre Santa Anita Park on 30 days over the next year as part of a pilot program. Events can be scheduled for weekdays from 9 AM to 6 PM and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 AM to 11 PM.
Plaza de las Fiestas, a new multipurpose arena in the northwest quadrant of the infield at the Santa Anita Park, has been created to accommodate Family Faire weekend outings for groups of 25 or more, as well as company picnics, concerts, trade shows, equine shows and other special occasions that can share the day with racing.
Santa Anita Derby Day 5K started three years ago with less than 2000 participants but is expected to attract between 4000-5000 runners and walkers in the 5K's fourth year.
Some residents north of Santa Anita Park are organizing to protest plans to build an enclosed 16,000 capacity concert arena in an unused portion of the race track parking lot.
Santa Anita Park will undergo major renovations after the racing season closes this month. The track's new owner will be tearing out part of the grandstand to construct luxury boxes and a new dining area.