Canterbury Park

Last year we took Mallory to Canterbury Park, but she got sick when we arrived and spent the entire time sleeping in her stroller, trying to break her fever. Poor baby. I wanted to give it another try and since we had coupons for free admission, it felt like a win win situation.

Since it was family day, before the races began, we checked out all the free stuff they have for kids to do. First we played and played on the HUGE Rainbow Play System they have just inside the main gates. An adult could've gotten lost in this thing. Mallory was able to try a tire swing for the first time. She really liked it, and it was easy for us to push her on it. With tire swings all you really need to do is give it a tap and goes round and round for quite a while.

Next it was time to ride the ponies. Not the racing horses, but actually ponies they have there for kids to ride, for FREE! Mallory waited very patiently for her turn. She was old enough and big enough to ride on her own. We were a pretty proud set of parents, and Mallory really enjoyed it. When the ride was over, she took the brush and went to business. I think she had more fun brushing and petting the one pony they had on the side of the ring than she did riding the other ponies.

Once back inside the main entrance, Mallory got her face painted for the very first time! She did great, and even though I had to talk her out of the skull & crossbones and into the fish, I think she was satisfied with her choice. She sat really still for the lady who was doing them, and was quite proud when it was done. She was sad at the end of the night when we had to wash it off to go to bed. I am glad to know she enjoyed it, since it was free, I was happy to give it a whirl.

It was finally POST time. All in all, we lost $4.20. The one race we did win, Mallory picked number 4 and sure enough, she was right. Should've had her helping us bet the whole time we were there.

We had such a fun time for hardly any cost. Even though it rained a little bit, we were able to get quite a bit out of our free admission! Just watching race after race, running around and being goofy with our little Mal Pal. We will for sure return next season!