While Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, there is still plenty of fun to be had in the Meadowlands region. With football season just around the corner at MetLife and much more in store, the region is not slowing down as the summertime winds down.
Breeders Crown Charity Challenge Kicks Off at Meadowlands Racetrack (Aug. 30-31)
The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge was designed to help Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment build a positive relationship with charities around the area. As of now, the Challenge has already helped raise over $1.5 million for select charities.
The Challenge kicks off on Aug. 31, when four selected charities will be paired with different teams in a live draw. The order of the race will determine how many points each charity earns. The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge is set to run from Aug. 30, all the way to Oct. 19, with both points from the race and fan voting determining which of the 4 charities walks away victorious. The four participating charities in the challenge are SBH Health System, enCourage Kids, New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and Friends of Union County.
The following day, the Meadowlands Racetrack will be holding a Family Fun Day, filled with pony rides, face painting and other fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. On top of that, the 30 & under handicapping contest will be taking place later on in the same day from 6-11 p.m., with $5,000 being handed out in prizes.
Hinchliffe Stadium Hosts Hip Hop Festival (Aug. 31)
On Aug. 31, the PRS Music Fest will be coming to the iconic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey. The festival will serve as a celebration of the origins and evolution of hip-hop and its culture. The festival features a stacked lineup including hip-hop legends Method Man and Redman, two members of the Wu-Tang Clan.
The event will be hosted by three different influential figures in the hip-hop world, D-Stroy, Russell Peters and MC Sha-Rock. The trio will bring an electric atmosphere to Hinchliffe Stadium, helping all guests have a great time and enjoy the music, while also honoring its history.
Football Returns to MetLife Stadium (Sept. 8)
After months of anticipation, regular season football will finally be making its return to East Rutherford next week, as the New York Giants take on the Minnesota Vikings in its season opener. This will be the Giants’ first time playing with starting QB Daniel Jones since last November after he suffered a season-ending injury. In addition to his return, many fans will also be on the lookout for rookie WR Malik Nabers, who has the potential to be one of the team’s best players.
As for the other team that plays in East Rutherford, the New York Jets will be taking on the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 9 for a Monday Night Football game in California. With Aaron Rodgers’ long-awaited debut just a week away, many fans have grown eager to watch him play, which will ultimately lead to more eyes on the Jets and more fans in MetLife.