The New York Racing Association to celebrate First Responders Appreciation Day at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna; Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will honor police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics during First Responders Appreciation Day. The event will be held on Wednesday, August 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The day will feature free grandstand admission for all first responders with proper identification. NYRA will welcome local police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics to the winner's circle for the day's fourth race, which will be named in honor of first responders.

"The New York Racing Association is pleased to welcome our local first responders to Saratoga Race Course. We are so grateful to these individuals, who provide immediate help during our critical times of need," said NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay. "Our communities rely upon these men and women for our health, safety and security. We look forward to recognizing them for their service, and hope to provide them with an enjoyable afternoon at Saratoga."

Numerous local police, fire and emergency service departments will host activities and demonstrations at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion throughout the afternoon, including children's finger printing and identification cards from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, and a child's safety seat demonstration from the New York State Police.

Children in attendance are invited to be fitted for a free bicycle helmet, courtesy of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County. The child must be present, and bicycle helmets are available while supplies last.

Fans can also experience numerous interactive activities designed to highlight the danger of impaired and distracted driving, including a field sobriety test while wearing fatal vision goggles, which simulate the effects of drunk driving, under the supervision of Stop DWI Saratoga County; a seatbelt convincer, which shows the impact of not wearing a seatbelt when involved in a car accident, from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office; and a driving while texting simulator courtesy of the Saratoga Automobile Museum.

A variety of emergency service vehicles and equipment will be on display throughout the property, including a K9 Unit SUV with a police dog from the Saratoga Springs Police Department; a fire truck and gear, jackets and oxygen tanks from the Saratoga Springs Fire Department; and a SUV and fire sprinkler demonstration from the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs.

Reserved seats at Saratoga Race Course, including reserved tables in the backyard or Fourstardave Sports Bar, are available through www.Ticketmaster.com.

The 2017 season at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, call 518-584-6200 or visit www.NYRA.com/Saratoga.