Dresden Raceway kicks off another year of family fun and harness racing action this Sunday afternoon with a 1:30 p.m post time and new features for 2017.

"We are so excited for another great year of racing," said Dresden Ag Society President, Lucille Laprise. "Dresden Raceway has something for everyone and we have something fun booked every race day this season including lots of prizes and giveaways as well as a theme for everyday."

The theme days include Opening Day with special “welcome back” prizes as well as many other days including B.I.A./OLG Day, Father’s Day/Horseman’s Hall Of Fame Day, The Little Green Jug/Dresden Lumberking’s Day, Canada Day, Dresden Derby/Hat Day, Legion/Bring A Friend Day, Kid’s Day, Horseman’s Memorial Day and Fan Appreciation/Closing Day.

“It’s so amazing watching the families come to the track and see the kids eyes light up when they get to see a horse just a few feet away. This is the best value for your dollar that you can find in Chatham-Kent. Where else can you spend a full afternoon full of excitement and giveaways for no cost?” said track announcer/publicist Gary Patterson.

"We have some amazing horsemen that put a great product on the track every week," continued Patterson. "This is a special place as generations of families have enjoyed the racing for the last 128 years. It is tradition for so many families to come at least once during the racing season and make a day of it."

For those that can't make it to the track, Dresden will offer live video streaming for the 2017 season.

"It's putting us on a whole new platform," Laprise told The Chatham Daily News. "We just want to keep up with the times."

Laprise also mentioned that the track will honour the late Mark Austin during the Father’s Day/Horseman’s Hall Of Fame Day card.

“Mark was really a well-liked and well-respected horseman,” Laprise said. “He went on to do some really big things with some great horses.”

(with files from Dresden)