Fans say goodbye to Michigan harness racing track before demolition

JACKSON, Mich. (AP) — Thousands of harness racing fans flocked to a southern Michigan track to bid farewell before the 70-year-old raceway is demolished.

The Jackson Citizen Patriot reported that Jackson Harness Raceway celebrated its final hurrah Sunday by hosting a dozen horse races. The track had been closed for 10 years but reopened this weekend so community members could say goodbye ahead of the scheduled demolition.

Co-organizer Mike Way said up to 7,000 people attended the event honoring the track's history. Way said he saw many tears from people with a passion for the sport.

Brenda Friend worked as a teller at the raceway. She fulfilled her dream of taking a lap around the track in a cart Sunday.

Friend said harness racing is a family event. She said kids growing up now don't know what they're missing.