Contest Festivals

[Anutha1]

This page is not available here on the site yet. Until it is, would someone please let me know what dates and seasons these events occur on?

I'm mainly trying to determine if I should purchase a horse as soon as I can to try and win the equestrian race or if I would be better off spending that money elsewhere early in the game?

[Cherubae]

Equestrian Challenge = summer 23 and winter 23
Fish Faceoff = summer 6 and winter 6
Expo = spring 10 and autumn 10

Watch for the letter in your mailbox from Phillip for shop discounts. He can offer up to 30% off the cost of purchasing animals if you receive the message.

[Anutha1]

Watch for the letter in your mailbox from Phillip for shop discounts. He can offer up to 30% off the cost of purchasing animals if you receive the message.

Do you know when the first one comes for his shop?

I received one mid-Spring for the General Store and am nearing the end of Spring now and haven't received anything yet for the Animal Store.

Am hoping to purchase a horse and win the first horse race but figured the sooner I purchase it and raise its affection, the better chance I have of winning that first race, granted the prizes won make it worthwhile to possibly buy the horse at full price?

[Cherubae]

The horse race rewards you with an unimpressive prize:

Spoiler:

30 Carrots and 30 Carrot Seeds.

The shop discount seems to happen once a season, but there doesn't seem to be a pattern to it that I've paid attention to.