Family traditions celebrated at the New Orleans Fair Grounds for 99th annual Thanksgiving Classic

This year’s 76-day race season goes through March 23rd with the annual running of the Louisiana Derby.

NEW ORLEANS — The horses are walked and track readied for the 99th annual Thanksgiving Classic at the New Orleans Fair Grounds. 

Thousands of New Orleanians, like prior generations are expected to dress up in fancy outfits and unique hats to enjoy a day at the races before heading home for turkey dinner. 

Ninth Ward native Jimmy McGill says this has been part of his family’s Thanksgiving routine as long as he can remember. 

“I was the babysitter while my grandparents and my parents would come out here and play the ponies, until I was old enough for them to bring us,” McGill said. “It became a tradition for my family too, as well. From the age of 13 on up I can remember coming to the track.” 

McGill now works as the head of finance at the Fair Grounds. 

“We want folks to come in and have a good time and just go back home with all these different memories of how they came to the track and had an excellent time,” McGill said. 

 John Q. Dooley is the race track announcer. 

 “The tradition is to celebrate horse racing, sports, great food, family, people have a chance to count their blessings and maybe count a few dollars that they might pick up betting the winning horse,” Dooley said. 

The Fair Grounds has been part of the fabric of New Orleans for more than 150 years. 

It means a lot to not only be part of the racetrack, but also the community and a day like Thanksgiving brings together so many people, not only families and friends, but sports fans,” Dooley said. 

Turkey Day post time is noon at the Fair Grounds. 

This year’s 76-day race season goes through March 23rd with the annual running of the Louisiana Derby.  

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