With the start of the live racing season just over a month away, Dresden Raceway is gearing up for a busy summer and has partnered up with some high-profile outfits in 2016.
“We've got a lot of great things coming along at the raceway this summer,” said Dresden Agricultural Society president Lucille Laprise told the Chatham Daily News. “We're really looking forward to having a very busy time.”
Dresden is Ontario's only active pari-mutuel racetrack that will play host to the world-famous RCMP Musical Ride this summer. The Musical Ride performs in up to 50 communities across Canada between the months of May and October, and they help raise thousands of dollars for local charities and non-profit organizations. The Dresden stop comes on August 24 in concert with Racing Against Drugs, a community-based drug and alcohol awareness program.
The raceway is also hosting the Big Bike for the Heart and Stroke Foundation on June 9, with the fundraiser making its first appearance at the track in five years. Several teams will take turns riding the 29-seat bicycle to support heart disease and stroke research.
Laprise also noted that each harness racing card will be accompanied by a special promotion. Dresden's dates start on Sunday, May 29 and roll through to the start of August, with special holiday cards on Canada Day (Friday, July 1) and the August Civic Holiday (Monday, August 1).
Dresden's six horse barns were also recently fitted with nearly 900 solar panels, providing enough electricity to power 34 homes.
“I strongly feel the innovative use of an existing structure to secure the preservation of our great racing tradition is something our raceway’s founders would be proud of as well,” said Laprise.