Since by all rights, it wouldn't be fall without a festival, Yonkers Raceway is staging one.
The Fall Harvest Festival is set for Saturday, October 17 and will feature events for the entire family. The festival is a joint effort with Yonkers and the Standardbred Owners Association of New York.
Activities include pony rides, face painting, live music, a blacksmith demonstration, sampling of fine New York-grown products (including apples, wine and cheese), the chance to have your picture sitting on a sulky, and a T-shirt giveaway.
There's also a raffle to win a set of colours from Yonkers' leading drivers, and the good folks at both Blue Chip Farms and the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame are also coming down to participate.
The racing highlight is the $400,000 Fall Harvest Series, which will feature eight, $50,000 New York-bred events for two and three-year-olds of both gaits.
Earlier in the evening, elected officials will settle their differences on the track in the Legislators Challenge, where protocol goes out the window in a pair of pre-card events.
The Fall Harvest Festival -- which includes a VIP tent for horse owners -- gets underway at 5:30 p.m. on the track apron, with first post at the customary 7:10 p.m.
"We really want the Fall Harvest Festival to have something for everyone," general manager Bob Galterio said. "We showcase the best in New York racing all year, but this event is going to present so many other good things about the state.
"We're extremely happy to host it, and we invite everyone to stop by and have fun."
(Yonkers)