More than 150 people attended the Launch Party for RACE DAY on February 8 at the Galaxy Cineplex Theatre in Milton, Ont.
The event was presented by the film's producer, Iron Horse Photo, and the 'I Love Canadian Harness Racing' Fan Club and featured a screening of the 23-minute user-generated short documentary.
Among the attendees were several of the film's stars and 20 contributors who shot their race days on Saturday, August 6, 2011. RACE DAY is composed almost entirely of this user-generated footage.
Six of the film's stars — Jody Jamieson, Doug McNair, Anthony MacDonald, Randy Waples, Phil Hudon and Rick Zeron — posed for photos and participated in a Q&A Session following the screening.
Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz welcomed the crowd prior to the film. During his introduction, Krantz acknowledged the substantial financial benefits harness racing brings to the Milton area, and to the agricultural economy throughout the province.
The night concluded with a four-minute 'blooper reel' of funny, uncut video selected from the film's footage submissions which totaled 10 hours.
Megan Woodyatt was the grand prize winner of a framed RACE DAY movie poster autographed by several of the film's stars.
A public gallery of photos from the night can be seen on the RACE DAY Facebook page.
RACE DAY crew and stars (l to r): Phil Hudon, Doug McNair, Rick Zeron, Kelly Spencer (Producer/Co-Director), Jody Jamieson, Darryl MacArthur (Associate Producer), Anthony MacDonald, Chad Bisch (Editor/Co-Director), Ben Kempel (Music/Audio Editor)
Q&A Session with RACE DAY stars (l to r) Phil Hudon, Randy Waples, Doug McNair, Rick Zeron, Anthony MacDonald, Jody Jamieson.
RACE DAY Launch Party organizers Kelly Spencer (Iron Horse Photo) and Kathy Wade Vlaar (Standardbred Canada).
Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz with RACE DAY stars (l to r) Phil Hudon, Randy Waples, Anthony MacDonald, Jody Jamieson and OHHA GM Brian Tropea
Megan Woodyatt, winner of the RACE DAY movie poster signed by RACE DAY stars Randy Waples, Jody Jamieson, Anthony MacDonald, Doug McNair, Rick Zeron and Phil Hudon.