While Mystician and Watermelonwine garnered much attention for their on-track performances at Georgian Downs on Saturday night, Upper Canada Cup night also featured some off-track performances that entertained fans with a different sort of footwork and training
. In what could be a first for Canadian harness racing, the track hosted its first flash mob.
"It was an idea that we came up with in January or February," Jackie Warner, Marketing & Public
Relations Manager for Georgian Downs told Trot Insider. "We had looked at some of these events on Youtube and thought it would be a great fit for our event. We wanted some additional entertainment and we didn't think that anyone in harness racing had done anything like that."
The first version was the largest with over 20 dancers from the local group Dance Nation, led by choreographer Katrina Heckhaus, starting just after the first race.
"We put in a super sound system as that area is quite large," noted Warner, "and within the first 30 seconds or so people rushed to the area. You can't really see it in the video, but we have balconies and people were hanging over five deep to watch."
After the third race, another version hit the grandstand.
"With the space constraints it didn't have the same impact and it's a busy area. We told the girls to expect the unexpected from the people in the grandstand, and people really liked it and got into it. It was hard for the camera crew to focus on all the people, but fans actually joined in on both dances."
Warner says that only seven Georgian staff members were in on the idea, making it a surprise for both patrons and facility crew alike.
"I went into it thinking it was a bit risky, but we thought it was a good fit with the demographic in our region," stated Warner. "The place was packed and you're never sure if the people will be entertained by it, but we were extremely pleased with the result and the feedback we received."
Bravo for Georgian Downs!!!
Bravo for Georgian Downs!!! Always marveled at the good crowds at this racetrack. Now I see why. This track appears to be open to new entertainment to go along with the excellent standard of racing they bring to us!!
Thanks Jackie, it spiced up
Thanks Jackie, it spiced up a very good time!
What a refreshing idea. Way
What a refreshing idea. Way to go Jackie Warner. Should be in a commercial for fun at the races !!!
All that I could see was it
All that I could see was it interferred with people trying to get to the betting windows. Is this a racetrack or a dance competition. You want to attract people to the track that will wager money on the horses. How will dancing maintain the horse racing business. The owners of the tracks have to start by being less greedy with the takeouts and then give the patrons someting for nothing. What about a free betting voucher for $20 after every 3rd visit to the track. I'm sure there is a way to track it electronically. The people are going to bet it anyway and most likley the track gets most of the investment back.
This was impressive! It's
This was impressive! It's amazing how a bit of enthusiasm can really spread! Between this, Deal or No Deal, the Money Machine and the races themselves, it was a fun night. Well done to everyone at Georgian Downs for making this happen!
This is a super idea for
This is a super idea for attracting a new and younger generation to harness racing. Great work at Georgian, wish we had a track in Halifax.
Excellent!! Great
Excellent!! Great thinking... so nice to see the industry is trying something new... just sorry I wasn't there in person!
It was cool...and I could
It was cool...and I could tell Larry Menary loved it!
It would be fantastic if they could pull something like that off with that big crowd of 10,000 or so at Mohawk on NA Cup night, just not sure they'd have the room on the tarmac to work around everyone.
More of this thinking out of
More of this thinking out of the box type of events are needed to bring in new and younger people. It is some way to keep excitement within the building between races and get people to have some fun. Kudos to those at Georgian!!!
That was absolutely awesome.
That was absolutely awesome. Really well done to Georgian Downs and how talented and confident are those young dancers?! Really, really impressive.
I wonder would some local newscasts be interested? A nice feel-good story. I admire anyone who tries anything to help promote our sport and our venues.
ha ha even some of the old
ha ha even some of the old fellas were enjoying themselves! Great stuff
Great promotion. I'm sorry
Great promotion. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to view it while watching the races on Georgian website.