New Rules as Far Hills Race Tickets Go On Sale in Stores

Many things never change about the Far Hills Race Meeting that is on the social calendar of many area residents and corporations — as well as visitors from New York and other states.

But following more than two dozens arrests last year on charges of such issues as public drunkenness, the race meeting association, working with Far Hills Borough, has instituted new rules.

Under revised regulations, those with general admission tickets coming through the pedestrian gates will not be allowed to bring in alcohol, and spectators will be subject to metal detectors and searches. Only those with reserved parking spots, tent holders and registered caterers will be allowed to bring alcohol on the premises for their private parties.

This Saturday, tickets will go on sale at some longtime local establishments, to be available for purchase from Sept. 28 through Oct. 18, the day before the race is scheduled to be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Moorland Farm in Far Hills.

Tickets already have been available online since Sept. 9. There is a $20 shipping and handling charge per order.

More than 35,000 converge each fall on the rolling hills of Moorland Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey for the state’s biggest social event of the fall season - The Far Hills Race Meeting. October 19, 2013 will mark the 93rd running of this timeless tradition, featuring the finest steeplechasers in the world competing against a backdrop of autumn splendor.

General admission tickets may be purchased in advance for $60 and parking tickets for $30 through area vendors. On event day, general admission and parking tickets may only be purchased at the gate. Event day general admission is $120, parking is $30.

Advance ticket sales run from September 28, until October 18, the day prior to the race.

General admission tickets may be purchased in advance for $60 and parking tickets for $30 through area vendors. On event day, general admission and parking tickets may only be purchased at the gate. Event day general admission is $120, parking is $30.

Here are some places in the Somerset Hills and nearby where pre-race tickets may be purchased. The full list of vendors selling advance tickets is available online.

2013 ADVANCE TICKET VENDORS

Basking Ridge
• Bamboo Grill, 185 Madisonville Road
• Select Vintage Wines, 25 Mountainview Boulevard
• Wine Rack, 572A Allen Road

Bedminster
• Far Hills Pharmacy, 405 Main Street (Route 202)
• Kings Super Markets, Inc., 450 Route 202/206 North
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 68 Route 202/206 North

Bernardsville
• Gary’s Wine and Marketplace, 100 Morristown Road
• Kings Super Markets, Inc., 100 Morristown Road
• Monterey Gourmet, 167 Morristown Road
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 35 Morristown Road

Bridgewater
• Open Road Mercedes-Benz, 1250 Route 22 East
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 619 Main Street

Califon
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 438 County Line Road

Far Hills
• Butler’s Pantry, Route 202
• Joseph D’Apolito & Son, 16 Peapack Road
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 26 Dumont Road

Flemington
• The Garden Gate Garden Center, 101 Route 31

Gillette
• Kings Super Markets, Inc., 977 Valley Road

Gladstone
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 190 Main Street

Oldwick
• Oldwick General Store, 57 Main Street
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 169 Lamington Road

Piscataway
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 1038 Stelton Road

Pottersville
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 11 Pottersville Road

Warren
• Kings Super Markets, Inc., 64 Mountain Boulevard
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, 58 Mountain Boulevard

Whitehouse Station
• Kings Super Markets, Inc., Routes 523 and 22
• Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Routes 523 and 22

Chairman's Tent Admission: Contact the Far Hills Race Meeting Association at 908-234-9115 to purchase tickets or they may purchased online from Sept. 9 to Oct. 4.

New rules and regulations

About 40,000 people attended the 2012 event, which saw 25 arrests for theft, disorderly conduct and assault, among others, as well as charges of underage drinking.

The Far Hills Race Meeting Association announced the new alcohol policies in June. The new measures, according to a release, were put together with input from Far Hills Borough and police officers to take a zero tolerance approach of the event.

The new policies:

• Those with general admission tickets coming through the pedestrian gates will not be allowed to bring in alcohol, and spectators will be subject to metal detectors and searches.
• Only those with reserved parking spots, tent holders and registered caterers will be allowed to bring alcohol on the premises for their private parties.
• Caterers must register with the Far Hills Race Meeting Association in advance, and unregistered deliveries of alcohol will not be allowed.
• Buses must register with the Far Hills Race Meeting Association before the event.
• Those who are visibly intoxicated will not be allowed to enter the grounds.

"The safety of spectators has always been a top priority for the Far Hills Race Meeting Association," Guy Torsilieri, co-chairman of the association, said in the release.

"Following concerns raised at last year's event, we worked closely with the Borough of Far Hills and law enforcement over the past six months to evaluate the event's policies and institute new measures that will ensure the safe continuation of this much loved and anticipated tradition."