WELLINGTON - Tickets are selling fast for Palm Beach County's first steeplechase in 23 years, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center at the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Pierson Road. Admission is $20 and up.

Between 7,500 and 10,000 people are expected to attend.

"[The day] will be like a huge wine or music festival...like a big tailgate party," said Elizabeth Hedley, event coordinator. Besides just steeplechasing the event, she said it will have something for everyone. There will be a beer garden with flat screen TVs to watch the day's football, in between the races there will be Jack Russell Terrier dog races, a demonstration by the Blackwater Parachute team, a hat contest, music and antique car displays. There will also be shopping village with a variety of vendors.
The last time Palm Beach County had a steeplechase was in 1985 at the Palm Beach Polo Club.
"The race course has been reconfigured," said Bill Gallo, director of racing for the National Steeplechase Association. "It's certainly an improved racing facility. It's vastly improved from the mid-80s."
Throughout the day there will be five steeplechase races worth $200,000 in total.

Jason Parsley can be reached at jeparsley@tribune.com.