Excitement is building for the beloved Ewan Races which will return to its traditional dates of September 23-24 at Stockyard Creek for the running of the five race per day program and fun filled surrounding events.
Ewan Amateur Turf Club (EATC) president David Woodhouse is looking forward to this years race days after 2015’s upheaval which saw the iconic meeting change from a grass to corn fed event and the committee dealing with a change of date to earlier in the school holidays which conflicted with a meeting at Cluden Park in Townsville.
“Because of the dates change we had to race on Saturday and Sunday which led to a drop in crowd numbers,” Mr Woodhouse said.
“The return to our usual dates has been enthusiastically received and early indications are that crowd numbers will be back to where they were in 2014; we’re expecting it to be pretty big,” he said.
Mr Woodhouse said to better cater for a corn fed meeting the committee used their funds and donations received by Charters Towers Regional Council and Steel Supplies Charters Towers to construct 40 night stalls and camping facilities for travelling trainers.
“We’ve also introduced a child friendly area for families which was requested to give them some distance from the people who come along to party well into the night.”
He said the recent rain has freshened everything up on and around the track.
“It’s looking better now that it has at any other point in the last two years, but due to another stingy summer wet season drinking water will be at a premium so we encourage people to bring their own.”
Events will begin on Thursday afternoon with a trivia challenge and meet and greet taking place on the grounds and will include a BBQ dinner and cabaret music by the Kye Cole Band.
“Friday has been geared more towards family and child-friendly events while Saturday will focus more on grown up fun.”
The Steel Supplies Charters Towers Friday Family Raceday will include children’s fancy dress and dance in the morning which will be followed by a calcutta before the first day of racing gets underway.
“Just before the races start we’ll be holding a children’s fashions competition and after the action on the track is finished live music will play through the night.”
The next day will see the Schmidt’s Livestock Transport Super Saturday Raceday begin with the annual Ewan fun run and children’s sports morning.
“Another calcutta will be held followed by the adult Fashions on the Field competition after which racing will begin again.
“After the dust settles on the track an auction will be held with proceeds going towards supporting the club, followed by more live music and the announcement of the winner of our Art Union raffle.”