Fair Grounds unveils new renovation in time for Thanksgiving
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Thanksgiving Day horse races at the Fair Grounds mean costume-y outfits and lots and lots of hats. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images
The New Orleans Fair Grounds season is off and running with crews wrapping up a renovation to the Mid-City gaming facility.
Why it matters: Grab your hats. It's nearly Thanksgiving.
The big picture: The Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots is the second-oldest operating racetrack in the country.
- Visiting on Thanksgiving Day is a New Orleans tradition with attendees dressed to the nines to watch the thoroughbred racing that has, in years past, begun its season on that day.
Between the lines: Prompted by a regulations change that saw a profitability dip at the gaming facility, Fair Grounds owner Churchill Downs threatened the institution's future in the city earlier this year.
- Churchill sought a $20 million subsidy from the state, but lawmakers weren't interested.
- Still, leaders were able to come to terms and Churchill's back for at least one more year, according to WWL.
What they're saying: "We had troubles this year," acknowledges Fair Grounds marketing director Kristen Nicholson. "We didn't know if we'd be racing, but we move forward."
The latest: Moving forward meant shaping up.
- Off-season improvements include a newly renovated paddock and winner's circle, updated bar and lounge spaces, a renovation of the slot floor, and the incorporation of a production area to watch race announcers live from inside the Grandstand.
Fun fact: Because of Jazz Fest, the New Orleans course is the world's only grass track that gets completely replaced every year.
- Plus, the proximity visitors can have with horses and the races themselves is nearly unmatched, Nicholson says.
- "Elsewhere, you're nowhere near within spitting distance," she says.
If you go: New for Thanksgiving, Black Friday and the Louisiana Derby this year will be all-inclusive ticketing for general admission and suites so visitors can avoid lengthy lines at the bar.
- Though access to the course-adjacent outdoor area will remain free and accessible to visitors of all ages, general admission and suite ticket-holders have access to the newly renovated second floor.