by Brenda Valiante
Hawkinsville, GA — The 45th annual Harness Festival will be held Saturday (April 7) at the Hawkinsville Harness Horse Training Center, 290 Abbeville Hwy., Hawkinsville.
Eleven qualifying races have been drawn for Saturday with a 12 p.m. post time. The Dan Shetler stable will send 12 to post as they prepare for the upcoming racing season on the Indiana circuit. Ridge Warren and Seth Fry will be traveling to Hawkinsville to take up the reins for the Dane May and A Piece Of The Action stables along with several other drives for them throughout the race card.
Along with the harness races on Saturday, additional activities throughout the day include unique arts and crafts, a fun zone for all ages, a mechanical bull with a prize for the person who stays on the longest and numerous food vendors.
Saturday night festivities will continue with the “Yard Bird” chicken cook-off and the popular Chili cook-off category. Maple’s Crown Band will be performing on stage throughout the evening for the patrons, ending the night with a fantastic fireworks display.
Admission for all is free.