Starting Friday, August 19, the historic Hialeah Park Racing and Casino in Hialeah, Florida will hold a three-day celebration to honor its casino’s third anniversary.
John Brunetti Sr. purchased the track in 1977 and closed it in 2001, blaming too much horse racing competition. The state and then the Miami-Dade County approved casinos, but Hialeah Park’s casino had to be approved by the state legislature and the Florida Supreme Court.
Brunetti said the venue has fulfilled the dream he envisioned a decade ago of transforming the shuttered racetrack to a busy casino and entertainment complex. “We have tried to encourage many different uses for the property, yet maintain the history and mystique of Hialeah Park,” he said, adding he hopes to add a hotel and a shopping mall in the future.
Today the 200-acre property serves as an entertainment hub, with Quinceañeras parties and other celebrations held in an adjacent building, and music, boxing matches and special events at the casino, horse racetrack and new sports bar/simulcast center.
Latin Grammy award-winner Willy Chirino will kick off the celebration on Friday, along with Los 3 De La Habana. Chirino will return with Johnny Ventura on Saturday. Tickets are available at tickets.ticketforce.com or at the Hialeah Park box office. The Jumpin Jack Open Car & Truck Show is scheduled for Sunday.
