Bring Doncaster's Biggest Festival to Life and 'Dress The City Leger'!

Now that the iconic hospitality marquee is visible at Doncaster Racecourse, it marks the official build-up to the Betfred St Leger Festival, which takes place at Doncaster Racecourse from Thursday 12th September until Sunday 15th September. To celebrate, pubs, local businesses and residents are invited to embrace the history of this prestigious event and dress their windows to “Dress the City Leger”. 

The city is looking to instil tradition by embracing the iconic festival and sprinkling elements of Yorkshire’s Classic into the decoration. To help get you started, “Dress the City” packs will be available to download from the Doncaster Racecourse website, providing a poster, a banner, and four bunting triangles, one for each day of the festival. There is also a Sunday Funday poster and bunting triangle that kids can colour in. Physical packs will also be available to pick up from the main reception at Doncaster Racecourse and from Guest Services inside Frenchgate Shopping Centre.

Historically when the festival was taking place, the streets of Doncaster would be lined with flags and the whole community would be wrapped up in the joy of St Leger. The impact of the festival was so large that the city would completely shut down for the week, including the closing of schools.  

This campaign provides the opportunity for the city to return to its roots and rekindle the magic of the World’s oldest Classic. 

To encourage people to get involved, participants will have the chance to win big by submitting photos of their decorations. Clothing shops can build excitement for Ladies Day by showcasing elegant and stylish dresses in their shop windows to entice the ladies of Doncaster and inspire their outfit choices.  

To enter, participants simply have to head to the Doncaster Racecourse Facebook post and comment below the post with a photo of their window display and a panel of judges will select a winner. The competition closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 8th September and the winner will be announced on Monday 9th.

The designer of the winning window display will receive a £1,000 gift voucher for Doncaster Racecourse that can be redeemed against raceday tickets, hospitality, Christmas Live or sponsorship.

Rachel Harwood, Executive Director of Doncaster Racecourse said: “This is the perfect opportunity for the people of Doncaster to unite and celebrate being part of this fantastic community. The Betfred St Leger festival plays such an important part in the city’s history and this campaign is a great way of continuing the tradition. 

“We want to see all of Doncaster get involved and show their creativity! 'Paint the City Leger’ will instil excitement into the streets as we prepare for a legendary few days of racing and festivities.” 
Local resident Wendy Gostling who previously got into the festival spirit by knitting a St Leger-themed Post Box Topper said: “We’re privileged to have such a wonderful festival here in Doncaster that unites the city.

“I’m really looking forward to walking around Doncaster and seeing everyone dressing their windows in preparation for the festival, it’s the perfect way to build excitement and unify the community - hopefully it’s one to remember.”