Standardbred Canada (SC) is pleased to announce that Natasha Day and Mark McKelvie will co-host the Red Carpet Show for the 36th O'Brien Awards on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Mississauga, Ont.
The 2024 Red Carpet Show, sponsored by Grand River Raceway, will be streamed live on the SC website and Facebook page starting at 5:30 p.m. EST. The show will feature a variety of special guests, including many of this year’s finalists.
Day, one of SC's O'Brien Awards Red Carpet hosts in 2023, returns as host alongside first-timer McKelvie on the Red Carpet Show. With more than 400 wins and nearly $3 million in earnings, Day is familiar with the spotlight. In 2024, she won gold at the Women's Driving Challenge during Harness the Hope Night and participated in the Drivers' Holiday Challenge at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
McKelvie, Senior Manager of Communications for Woodbine Entertainment, is set to co-host the Red Carpet Show for the prestigious 36th O'Brien Awards. In addition to his work at Woodbine, McKelvie is also the play-by-play caller for the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack.
SC checked in with Day (ND) and McKelvie (MM) to talk about the 36th O’Brien Awards Red Carpet Show.
What excites you most as the Red Carpet Show Host for the 36th O'Brien Awards?
ND: "What excites me most about hosting the Red Carpet Show is getting to speak [to and] interview people who I probably normally wouldn’t get to pick their brains."
MM: "I'm excited to get to do something a little different than your usual pre/post-race interviews and discussions. We've got a lot of great personalities in the sport, and it'll be fun to catch up with everyone away from the track. The vibes are usually really high and I'm sure we'll have some laughs."
How do you plan to set the tone for the night: inspirational quotes or dance moves?
MM: "No dancing, that's for sure, but I'll probably crack a few bad jokes to the crew. They'll probably just laugh at me, but at least everyone will be loose and ready to go. Nat might have some better ideas, so I'll leave that to her."
ND: "Zero dance moves! But I do have a certain idea up my sleeve to add a little bit of Aussie flare!"
If you had to choose a theme song to play every time you walk onto the Red Carpet, what would it be?
ND: "'Believer' by Imagine Dragons."
MM: "That's easy. 'Higher Love' by Kygo and Whitney Houston. It might be the greatest song ever."
If you could sum up your style as a host in three words, what would they be?
ND: "Questionable, questioning and guessing."
MM: "Anyone who knows me well knows I talk too much, so three words is tough. In a perfect world I hope my hosting style comes across as confident, engaging and funny. But maybe I'm dreaming."
Do you have a pre-show ritual, or do you just wing it like a pro?
MM: "I've got my routines when it comes to broadcasting racing or hockey, but this is a little different. I'll certainly be ready for our interviews, but realistically, I think it's best if we just go with the flow. Let's have some fun!"
ND: "Well, last year was my first year [hosting] so I started that off with a shot of tequila and some closet sipping between interviews, so I’m going to stick with that solid plan….then wing it and bring it!"
Who's your Super Bowl pick this year?
ND: "Well, I’m going to say the Chiefs. Their defence is great, and I think the trophy looks good on Taylor Swift."
MM: "I was all in on the Bills...so I guess give me the Eagles."
For event details, click here or contact Jade Regina at [email protected].
(Standardbred Canada)