The Halloween festivities carried over into Sunday at Truro Raceway, as the racing community and fans celebrated the popular holiday with costumes, trick-or-treating and other fun family activities at the track.
Continuing a tradition that began three years ago, the Truro Harness Horse Owners Association coordinated trick-or-treating in the barn area at the racetrack for local children that attended.
"Each year we have seen the number of children grow and it has become something the children not only look forward to, but the adults as well," said Robyn Crowe, Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association Executive Director, noting that 40 kids took part in the event this year.
The 10-year-old pacer Fluid Motion has been known to enjoy dressing up for special occasions, and with the help of Heather Gatti, equine caretaker and stylist, the gelding took advantage of the Halloween holiday to don another costume. Disguised as a bunny, Fluid Motion paraded in front of harness racing fans at Truro before scoring a top-three finish in the afternoon's finale for the David Carey stable.
Earlier in the featured $1,375 top pacing class, the five-year-old mare Barona Lilac earned another victory for the Meridian Farms-sponsored Cheering For Charity campaign. Last at the half, the Darren Crowe trainee circled the field to win in 1:59.4 in her first start this month racing for the Bible Hill Kinsmen. Gerries Beach finished one and a quarter lengths behind after leading throughout.
Celebrating the successes of the program and Barona Lilac, Cheering For Charity added to the day's Halloween activities. Many children involved with the charities that have participated in the program were in attendance. Cheering for Charity provided the treats to each barn to give out, with many other horsemen and women contributing as well.
Sporting his Halloween horse costume, Barona Lilac's caretaker Norm Atkinson joined the kids as they went trick-or-treating from barn to barn and then they headed to the grandstand to decorate their own horse-shaped cookies.
The children were also surprised by the Bible Hill Volunteer Fire Brigade, last month's Cheering For Charity partner, which brought in a fire truck and allowed the kids to explore the equipment.
"It was so nice to see many of the charities back at the track, and for the Fire Brigade to continue coming to the races and showing their support even though their month has passed," said Crowe.
Parents and chaperones that were new to the races also received some Halloween treats in the form of free programs and betting vouchers.
"For all race fans, Brad McCallum and Kyle Burton did a great job emceeing for the day and running different draws and contests for betting vouchers and other prizes donated by Cheering for Charity and Meridian Farms," added Crowe.
"Everyone had a great day and it was so great to see everyone's excitement as the kids went around in their costumes."
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Truro Raceway.