New 5/8th mile track ready to go at Grand River

ELORA, ON (May 23, 2024) – On Wednesday, June 5, Grand River Raceway (GRR) kicks off another exciting season of harness racing. This year they will be celebrating the first horses racing on their brand new 5/8-mile track.

Grand River Raceway will host 48 standardbred race nights this season, including 18 OSS (Ontario Sire Stakes) events, from June through September. Racing takes place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night with a post time of 6:30 p.m. See the full schedule here. The track addition is the first new track construction since GRR built the ½-mile track back in 2004.

“The completion of the 5/8-mile track has been highly anticipated and marks the beginning of a new era of racing at GRR,” said Jenna MacDonell, Raceway Manager. “Guests will enjoy outstanding race cards and developing new wagering strategies to adapt to the changes in the track.”

GRR kicks off the race season on June 5 with a community celebration, featuring $2 hotdogs, $3 burgers, and $2 cans of pop. The BBQ will be set-up on The GrandWay Patio, consider grabbing a drink at The GrandWay Lounge bar.

On Wednesday, June 12, GRR will be hosting a formal ribbon cutting with dignitaries and specialists who were integral to getting the 5/8-mile track built. It’ll be a celebration of how far GRR has come.

Here’s what you can expect this summer at GRR:

Follow GRR on social (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) or subscribe to their mailing list on their website here to get updates and news.

FREE Family Fun!

Every race night (Mon/Wed/Fri) is free entry for all. Need something for the kids to do? Our ambassador Tom, along with a variety of mutuel tellers, will be handing out Neighborhood bags full of fun activities for kids every race night.

GrandWay Patio Parties

Get a group of 12 or more together and enjoy a VIP experience right next to the track! Groups get an intimate horse racing experience in a reserved seating area on The GrandWay Patio. Limited dates available, excludes GRR specialty race night dates. Contact bookings@thegrandway.com for details.

Looking for more entertainment this summer?
Check out The GrandWay Events Centre (next door to GRR) for Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Nights, Murder Mystery Dinner Theatres, and more throughout the summer and into fall/winter. For more info, click here.

Specialty race nights at GRR:

June 5 – Opening Night

July 12 – Wiener Dog Races

August 5 – Industry Day, featuring the Battle of Waterloo presented by Winbak Farms, 12:30 pm post time

August 30 – Harness the Hope Night – Giant Pink Patio Party on The GrandWay patio (dress in pink!).

September 6 – National Caretaker Appreciation Day at GRR, OSS 50^th Celebration.

Get tickets and details about these great events here.

Please be reminded that GRR and The GrandWay Events Centre are designated as smoke-free. Smoking is not permitted in any and on all exterior public racetrack facing areas including the grandstand, tarmac, and patio.

The Captain’s Quarters is open for first-come first-serve spectator seating only (with the exception of specialty race night events). There will not be an all-you-can-eat buffet in the tiered dining room this year, however, feel free to bring food from The GrandWay Lounge or the tarmac BBQ to enjoy.

GRR is ready to giddy-up and get the race season started! Follow along and keep up with all the fun here.

by Louise Frost, for Grand River Raceway