For over 150 years, people have been coming to Dresden and on Sunday, May 26, racing will return to the southwestern Ontario half-mile track.

As part of Opening Day festivities, Dresden Raceway will offer free t-shirts to the first 100 patrons through the turnstiles, and will also feature a match race between MPP Monte McNaughton and Mayor Darrin Canniff.

“Opening Day is always a big day at Dresden Raceway with fans excited to be back for another year,” said track announcer Gary Patterson.

The 11-day meet, which ends on Civic Holiday Monday (Aug. 5), will feature action-packed racing, as well as many contests for fans that will include prizes from Tim Hortons of Dresden, McDonald’s and Harvey’s of Wallaceburg, the Dresden Subway, Shopper’s Drug Mart in Wallaceburg, as well as The Track Kitchen and Mario’s Pizza Plus in Dresden.

“It’s such an exciting time of year. The grandstand is in great shape with a new roof, and the horsemen are stoked get back to the Sunday afternoon tradition.” Patterson added.

“We have a great drivers' colony that come to Dresden every year with guys like Tyler Borth, Garret Rooney and Nick Steward, as well as some veterans like Mark Williams and Donnie Rankin,” Patterson continued.

Gateway Casino’s slots are still in operation as they have not moved to Chatham, which means that patrons will have more ways to win at Dresden Raceway.

Post time is set for 1:30 p.m.

(Dresden Raceway)