Enjoy a weekend of family fun at The Glen

The Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen is one of the best places to take your family during the upcoming holiday weekend. Watkins Glen International will provide an affordable weekend filled with family fun. General admission tickets for kids 12 and under are free when they are accompanied by an adult, and now there’s even more entertainment to keep kids happy.

The McDonald’s Kids Zone, located just behind the McDonald’s Family Grandstand, is filled with games, inflatables, special appearances, and more! The McDonald’s Kids Zone will be open Saturday and Sunday, July 5-6, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

The McDonald’s Kids Zone is filled with activities for children of all ages. Four inflatable games will be available to play in, and a miniature train will give rides around the area. Kids can have their faces painted, or they can create their own artwork in the Children’s Craft Corner. McDonald’s will also sponsor a prize wheel where kids can win free McDonald’s food or prizes.

Special appearances from an IndyCar Series driver and McDonald’s characters will give kids something to look forward to throughout the day. Justin Wilson, driver of the #02 McDonald’s Dallara for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing will be at the McDonald’s Kids Zone on Saturday, July 5, from 12:00-12:15 PM and on Sunday, July 6 from 12:30-12:45 PM. Grimace and Hamburglar will also be in the McDonald’s Kids Zone on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Fire Safety House will teach kids about fire prevention. The display is provided by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. New York State Police will also be on hand to give out complimentary finger printing kits.

The McDonald’s Kids Zone will have activities to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York. The main fundraiser is a raffle which will feature an autographed Danica Patrick hat and t-shirt. Fans can purchase tickets throughout the weekend, and the winning name will be drawn on Sunday.

Families that have general admission tickets and want to hang out near the McDonald’s Kids Zone may consider sitting in the McDonald’s Family Grandstand. This family-friendly grandstand is smoke- and alcohol-free, and has easy access to the McDonald’s Kids Zone.

Just like any other seat at Watkins Glen International, the view will be fantastic as the grandstand overlooks all the action in the Esses. The McDonald’s Family Grandstand will be open all weekend to general admission ticket holders, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets are still available for the historic 60th Anniversary of racing in Watkins Glen are on-sale now! Open-wheel racing returns to The Glen this weekend for the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen, July 4-6.

General admission tickets for Kids 12 and under are FREE during the Camping World Grand Prix weekend when accompanied by an adult. The action continues with the Centurion Boats at The Glen NASCAR Sprint Cup and Zippo 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series weekend, August 7-10.

For tickets and more information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official website www.TheGlen.com

- Eiron M. Smith-