Industry Day is Grand River Raceway’s marquee event of the race season. It’s staged annually during a special afternoon race card on each Civic Holiday Monday (the first Monday in August). More than 5000 people flawk to the grounds for the two signature races; The Battle of Waterloo and the Battle of the Belles, both purses combined totalling around $300,000.

Industry Day is one of Canadian harness racing’s most celebrated events, attracting racing fans province-wide and beyond; and this year it’s turning 25!

There is so much more to Industry Day than just racing. This special afternoon card of racing features lots of great activities for both young and old.

For the kiddies:

Facepainting
Balloon artists
Jumpy castles
PONY RIDES and more!

For the wise:

Two backstretch beer tents
A full card of racing featuring the all-star 2 year old line up where colts battle it out in the Battle of Waterloo and fillies in the Battle of the Belles.
25 awesome “anniversary” gift giveaways such as: Callaway Golf Clubs, a Lawnmower, Kate Spade & Tory Burch purses, a BBQ and MORE >>!
Collectors edition “25th Anniversary” Industry Day t-shirts available for purchase Since its inception in 1990, the Industry Day celebration at Grand River Raceway has been enthusiastically supported by the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA). In the early days, the organization hosted the Backstretch Olympic Games with such epic events as water-pail and bandage-rolling contests.

More recently, OHHA hosted the Best In Show Awards, providing $500 in cash prizes to the caretakers of horses racing on the Industry Day card.

For the event’s 25^th anniversary celebration on August 3, OHHA is tripling its caretaker rewards, providing $1500 in total prizes — $100 to the top five in each of the following categories: Best Of Show Head-To-Toe; Horse & Groom; Above & Beyond (braids, sparkles, etc.).

“The caretakers of racehorses are some of the hardest working people in this business,” says driver and OHHA Director Jody Jamieson. “Their contributions are so vast and so ingrained into the culture of the sport. During an event like this — a 25^th anniversary celebration of harness racing — we should ensure the caretakers get the recognition they deserve.”

Judges for the Best In Show will circulate throughout the paddock on Industry Day. The winners will be announced on the track’s website later that evening.

Post time for Industry Day on August 3 is 1:30 p.m. Festivities and the broadcast kick-off at 1:00. Complete event details are available at www.IndustryDayCelebration.com

(Grand River Raceway)