SPORTS —— NEW ANNAN RACE TRACK

_ About 1910 John J. MacKinnon (Jockey Jack) built a race track in New Annan and started holding some matinee races.

Early in 1912 James Pendergast of Kensington, arrived home from the Klondyke. Talking to Jim McDonald of Clermont the New Annan race track was mentioned, and Jim McDonald advised Jim Pend- grgast to look into the possibility of promoting a bigger race at New

nnan.

That spring the three men J. J. MacKinnon, Jim McDonald and Jim Pendergast formed a partnership and prepared to run a big race’ track at New Annan. There was considerable discussion about naming the track and “New Annan” was chosen as the most appropriate.

v The people of New Annan supported and boosted New Annan races. The first race in 1912 was successful as for good races and good

attendance; the admission charged was 25 cents and ladies were admit- ted free.

When the bills were paid the three promoters divided the pro- fits which amounted to $4.50. However they saw the possibilities of even bigger events at New Annan, and the next year they built a small grandstand which was enlarged as the races gained popularity.

Before cars were in general use special trains brought crowds of people from Charlottetown and Summerside and also brought the horses andtheir equipment. People left home early in the morning and when they arrived at New Annan, they had to be fed. -

The promoters built a large dining tent and had women hired for a month before the races getting ready for the big day.

_ New Annan Women’s Institute took a hand in the catering and had a booth for sale of light lunches, soup, sandwiches, etc. Other enter- prising parties erected booths for sale of novelties and games of chance creating the effect of a big carnival.

. At one of the first races Captain Archibald Campbell of Clermont brought his fiddle and began playing, attracting all music lovers on the ground. Some wide pine planks which were stacked close by were spread on the ground and step dancers showed their agility and entertained the spectators. ~

. The promoters quickly saw the need for such entertainment, and the next year a raised platform was built for entertainment between heats of the races.

Medals were offered for dancing competitions, and other forms of entertainment were boxing bouts and calisthenics Wthh all. proved very popular. These races grew and flourished until the depress10n years.

In 1935 the last race was held. Hundreds of people who had looked forward to the Outing were disappointed when the New Annan races were discontinued.

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