Grand River Raceway’s 2018 live horse racing season launches on Friday, June 1 with a special guest announcer putting the finishing touches on his ambitious fundraising campaign.
Mike Farwell, host of The Mike Farwell Show and the voice of the Kitchener Rangers on 570 NEWS, runs an annual fundraising campaign called Farwell 4 Hire, during which he does odd jobs in exchange for a donation to Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
During the track’s opening night, Farwell will perform two tasks: he will drive one of the racehorses in a warm-up mile (accompanied by a professional driver) and later call a race in track announcer Gary Guy’s booth high atop the grandstand.
In addition to the track’s $500 donation, Farwell 4 Hire will also receive all tickets sales from an Opening Night Penny Auction offering great prizes to guests.
"I'm so grateful to Grand River Raceway for their generous donation and this opportunity to promote our campaign,” said Farwell. “With your help, we are improving the lives of people living with Cystic Fibrosis and getting closer and closer to a cure."
Farwell4Hire has raised over $183,000 in the past four years and is shooting for $100,000 this year.
The season-opener will include 10 horse races which begin at 6:30 p.m. All Fun & Frivolity Friday Race Nights include a live trackside broadcast with 107.5 DAVE ROCKS, the free NEIGHbourhood program for kids, barn tour and extended Tarmac Show between the races.
Live harness racing is featured on most Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights from June 1 through September 26.
Other special racing events include Ren’s Pets Depot Wiener Dog Races (July 6), the Industry Day horse racing celebration featuring the Battle Of Waterloo (August 6) and the National Driving Championship (September 26).
(Grand River)