Photo by Jim Meadows.
Summer in Music City looks quite different this year compared to the summer of 2020. With events back on the calendar, we’re all eager to make up for a year of cancelations and postponements.
Perhaps one of the most exciting returns is the Iroquois Steeplechase. To the delight of many, the iconic annual sporting and social event will make its highly anticipated return to Percy Warner Park on Saturday, June 26. As a Nashville rite of spring since 1941, the Iroquois Steeplechase is traditionally held the second Saturday of each May, and although this year’s June date may be different, the excitement remains just as (if not more) intense. Attendees have been eager to finalize their plans for one of Nashville’s oldest and most cherished traditions.
“We are having 150 percent more inquiries about our most exclusive experience, which is the Skybox at Steeplechase. We anticipate selling out of our hospitality offerings. It’s going to be an incredible experience for all patrons, and we look forward to welcoming our multi-generational patrons as well as newcomers to Nashville,” says Iroquois Steeplechase Chairman, Dwight Hall.
The annual event attracts more than 25,000 spectators of all ages and stages of life and aims to be an inclusive celebration of the Nashville community. In addition to serving as Music City’s signature celebration of time-honored traditions—Tennessee hospitality and southern fashions—the event also supports several philanthropic causes. One of the primary beneficiaries is the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, to which Iroquois Steeplechase has donated more than $10 million since 1981.
Last year’s Steeplechase went virtual, which gave organizers a chance to get creative to find a new way to keep the tradition alive. Partnering with NewsChannel 5 for a safer- at-home celebration in honor of the canceled race, participants donned their most fitting Steeplechase hats and attire while sipping Mint Juleps as they watched a special broadcast of past years’ highlights and the event’s rich history. Participants could further elevate the at-home experience by purchasing a “Party in a Box,” a custom-made kit including an assortment of goodies to accompany the event while raising money for the hospital.
With this year marking the exciting return of the live Steeplechase (at 100 percent capacity), safety remains a top priority. Event organizers are continuing to work diligently, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for major outdoor events. As a result, patrons will see plenty of sanitizing stations, masked and gloved workers and more.
Filled with glamor, fun and suspense, race day offers a jam-packed lineup of activities to entertain and excite all ages. So, dust off your most elaborate hat (or take the excuse to buy a brand-new one!), have a Mint Julep on standby, and pony up, because the eightieth anniversary of the Iroquois Steeplechase is sure to be one for the books. (iroquoissteeplechase.org)