by Chris Webb

Hicksville, OH — The Defiance County Area Horsemen’s Association met March 3 at the Hicksville Eagles.

Defiance County Fair Board President Dave Martin was present and concurred on which expenses they would be paying regarding the harness racing at the fair. The fair board will obtain the pari-mutuel license and bond, and will earmark the $1,000 received by the state for track maintenance. Any amount over that will be our responsibility, which should be minimal.

They will also pay the NWOCRA $200 dues, which NWOCRA will reimburse.

The fair board will benefit from the gate receipts, pari-mutuels, and grandstand admissions. Mr. Martin also informed us that they are erecting beer tents both in the infield and at the grandstand. The fair board is seeking organizations to man these for a percentage of the sales.

It was suggested that we contact Brett Boyd to “work” the races with a portable microphone. He has done this at Jackson Raceway in Michigan and attracted a packed grandstand of young and old alike.

Much discussion ensued regarding grants that are available from the USTA and OHHA for promoting our sport in innovative ways. Suggestions were offered such as rides in the starting car, tee shirt, Frisbees, etc. thrown to the crowd, betting vouchers given away, involving the kids to help Brett call the start of the races, seat cushions offered to the first 50 fans in the grandstand, and offering rides on the two-seated jog carts. This last idea was dismissed, however, due to the liability incurred. Someone also suggested a drawing for a large screen TV or similar item. Chris Webb will submit the USTA form for matching funds by April 15, and the Dick Brandt Grant for $1,000 to the OHHA by October 1. Please forward any creative ideas to her before these deadlines.

Bill Peters announced that on July 16, Kendallville, Indiana, will be racing during USTA’s “Back To The Track” promotion week. He suggested that it’d be a good opportunity to promote their fair races as well as ours, and the fact that we have betting.

Ticket sales for the reverse raffle dinner are lagging. Chris reported she mailed 150 letters to area businesses and only received one reply to date — a regret from Lowe’s. She will follow up with phone calls next week and pursue donations. Bill also stated that he is including a flyer of our fundraisers in the NWOCRA sustaining letters. Hopefully that will generate some ticket sales.