The Belmont Stakes: What You Need To Know

The 149th running of the Belmont Stakes — the oldest of the Triple Crown races — is set for this weekend, turning Nassau County into the most important place in horse racing for the weekend.

In addition to the Belmont Stakes, residents can attend the annual Belmont Festival in Garden City Friday on 7th Street from 6 to 10 p.m. This popular event features live music, family-friendly activities including games, face painting and pony rides, and is one of the most-anticipated and well-attended events of the year.

The race itself is going to be run Saturday evening, but there's plenty going on before then. Here's what you need to know.

Getting to the Race

The Belmont Racetrack is conveniently located on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont, so you could drive there if you wanted to. But you probably shouldn't. Traffic is going to be pretty nightmarish. Instead, you can take the train.

The LIRR will be running 21 extra trains over the weekend to get visitors to and from Belmont Park. Most of the trains are eastbound, so you'd have the most luck getting on at Jamaica station. For the complete Belmont LIRR schedule, click here.

Race Events

Once you're at Belmont Park, there's plenty to do, even if it's not race day.

On Friday, the Taste NY and Craft Fair will run until 6 p.m., featuring New York craft and food vendors. After that, Big Shot, the Billy Joel tribute band, will perform at Belmont at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday is the big day, though. The horses will run, and Andy Grammer will perform. Here's the full schedule:

8 a.m. - Parking Gates Open
8:30 a.m. - Admission Gates Open
9:45 a.m. - Talking Horses on air
10:50 a.m. - Parachute Jump
11 a.m. - Military Performs National Anthem
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Longines Fashion Contest Begins
11:00 a.m. - Coors Light Food Truck Village Opens
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Triple Crown Jockey Autograph Signing
11:35 a.m. - First Post
5:15 p.m. - On Your Feet Performance
6:00 p.m. - Andy Grammer Teaser show with preview of new song
6:20 p.m. - Belmont Stakes 'Riders Up Call' by Andy Grammer
6:37 p.m. - Post Time for the 149th Belmont Stakes
8:00 p.m. - Andy Grammer Concert

For more information about the Belmont Stakes, visit the race's website.

Photo: Associated Press/Julie Jacobson