JAMES RIVER, NS – Management for Riverside International Speedway is excited to announce that Nova Scotia’s Coldstream Clear Distillery has expanded its marketing partnership at the track starting this weekend at the new multi-day Canada Day Weekend event where Coldstream will be the entitlement sponsor of the Licensed Area as well as the Coldstream Seat Service. They’ve also renewed their presenting sponsor status of the popular IWK 250 Tailgate Party, set for July 18 and featuring Shameless – one of the region’s top cover bands.
“We’re very excited to have Coldstream and their products at Riverside,” said Joan Roue, track manager. “They’re very popular with our fans and the Coldstream team has a lot of fun interacting with our guests. It’s a win-win-win partnership.”
“Coldstream’s mission has always been to produce true-tasting beverages to share with our community,” said Olivia Van Roestel, Event and Experience Manager, Coldstream Clear. “Since 2015, we have remained committed to this mission, and the Coldstream Community has grown farther than we could have ever imagined. We are proud to partner with Riverside International Speedway for another amazing season. Raise a glass to great times with one of your Coldstream favorites!”
The Canada Day Weekend event at Riverside kicks off on Friday with Country Rocks Riverside presented by Todal Tractor featuring James Barker Band; opening acts include Mabou’s Eddie Cummings and Halifax’s Merimac. James Barker Band is one of Canada’s top current country music acts with numerous industry awards this year including Country Album of the Year at the Juno Awards. Country Rocks Riverside is their only stop in Nova Scotia this summer.
On Saturday, fans will see the NASCAR Canada Series in the PRO•LINE 150 and top regional racers in the RJ Poirier Heavy Equipment 150 for the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour. On Sunday, it’s NASCAR Canada in the Choko 150, joined by the region’s only vintage stock car series, the Hot Rod Classics presented by Kimco in the Anchor Toyota Twin 20s. A fabulous Canada Day Eve fireworks display will cap the weekend.
The start time for Friday’s concert is 7 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m. Racing starts at 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday; the grandstand gates will open at 1:30 p.m. in time for NASCAR practice at 1:45 p.m. and local practice at 2:30 p.m. At 4 p.m. fans get a chance to meet the drivers in a 30-minute autograph session. Pit gates open at 9 a.m. for NASCAR teams and members, and at 11 a.m. for all others. Details are available on the Schedule page at www.riversidespeedway.ca.
Camping reservations and tickets for the Canada Day Weekend event at Riverside are available at www.riversidespeedway.ca. They can be purchased as single-day or in discounted bundles. Kids 15 and under get in free on Saturday and Sunday.
Riverside has long attracted top drivers from throughout North America. It is a scale rendition of the original Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. Riverside founder, the late John “Nova” Chisholm, visited with NASCAR founder Bill France in the 60s seeking advice about building a track in Maritime Canada. France recommended a smaller Bristol and emphasized it should be easy to access near a highway interchange. With France’s blessing, Chisholm took an engineer to Bristol – they measured the track and returned to Nova Scotia to build Riverside – 1/3-mile (vs 1/2-mile at Bristol), high banks, and located at an interchange for the Trans Canada Highway. It opened on May 18, 1969, as a top track in Canada and still retains that designation.
About Riverside International Speedway
In 2024 Riverside International Speedway is celebrating 55 years as a premiere stock racing facility in Canada. The 1/3-mile high-banked asphalt oval roars to action several times a year for special events. It is the largest outdoor entertainment venue in eastern Canada and the home of the IWK 250 – widely known throughout North America as a “bucket list” event for racers and fans alike. Located in James River, between New Glasgow and Antigonish, the facility is easily accessible at exit 30 on Trans-Canada Highway 104. For more information, please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca or call 902-863-2410 (May to September) or 902-404-7049 (October to April).
