by Brett Taft

Freehold, NJ — The Open Space Pace and Festival is back again for a third annual event on Sept. 20.

The Open Space Pace is a non-profit organization. Our goal is to raise awareness about the relationship between horse farms, horse racing and the preservation of Open Space through its annual parade and festival.

This free all-day event begins at 10 a.m. with a parade of horses proceeding from the Hall of Records in Freehold Borough to Freehold Raceway. Once at the track the event begins with an opening ceremony and also features a petting zoo, educational exhibits, horse races, concert and fireworks. So, save the date for this fun, free day for you and your family.

The Open Space Pace parade of horses marches down Main Street in Freehold Borough and honors Dr. Karyn Malinowski, Director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center, as the Grand Marshall and leader of the parade. The parade also features the Freehold High School Marching Band, the Wells Fargo Stage Coach and more than 70 New Jersey horses and riders from various equine organizations. Spectators are welcome to follow the parade to the racetrack where the State Agricultural Fair will begin.

Once at the track, there will be an opening ceremony. Following the opening ceremony there will be equine and agricultural displays, a petting zoo, a mare and foal exhibit, food trucks, and a blacksmiths contest. The day will end with a concert opened by The Eddie Testa Band followed by the headline act, The Nerds. Fireworks will close out the festivities.

The Open Space Pace is a fantastic venue for corporate parties, family reunions, or other social gatherings. The Open Space Pace has donated more than $28,000 to equine and agricultural nonprofits and will be an annual fund raising event for equine and agricultural organizations that support it.

The Open Space Pace is a free event made possible by its sponsors. We greatly thank those sponsors and continue to seek additional supporters. The event raises funds from sponsorships, ad journal sales, tailgate space sales and vendor both sales. If you would like to support the Open Space Pace, or obtain more information, please contact Brett Taft at 732.577.4059.