Historic Hialeah Park reopens with a packed house
The Miami Herald reports: Hialeah Park, after an eight-year slumber, roared back to life Saturday afternoon -- attracting a crowd of 26,874 eager to watch horses once again gallop down one of the world's most famous racetracks.
The packed house cheered at the 1:05 start time, followed by another boisterous shout when, once the fourth race had ended, the track's signature pink flamingos flew overhead en masse.
Hialeah, a National Historic Landmark, was visibly dilapidated as recently as a few months ago. The years of closure had taken their toll, as had hurricane damage the property sustained during that hiatus. Construction crews worked around the clock to bring the luster back to Hialeah's clubhouse.
For the most part, those crews succeeded, as the clubhouse Saturday charmed with its Renaissance Revival architecture, its old-timey light fixtures, and its wall monuments honoring racing greats from decades past.
The restoration is still very much a work in progress, however, with other portions of the property, such as the grandstand, off-limits for now.
Saturday's reopening included other bells and whistles designed to appeal to those who aren't hard-core racing fans. A concert stage featuring salsa superstar Willy Chirino had some attendees dancing as they walked, while children scurried back and forth between an assortment of bounce houses and other rides. The track plans to schedule additional concerts in the coming weeks, and to keep the kiddie rides as a weekend staple.
The park also switched from the less-glamorous quarter-horse race because it is easier to obtain than a thoroughbred racing permit. Before Saturday, Florida hadn't hosted a quarter-horse race since 1991. Eventually, Hialeah hopes to race both quarter horses and thoroughbreds.
State approval for slot machines could be delayed because the Seminole Tribe has yet to agree to a gaming compact with the state. Under current law, Hialeah would only get slots if the Indians and the state strike a deal.
Hialeah's owners are moving forward with racing with the hope that state lawmakers will tweak the law so that Hialeah can have slots regardless of the tribe's actions.
In the meantime, patrons Saturday rejoiced that a picturesque landmark has avoided the wrecking ball.
"It's a place that had to be preserved,'' Hialeah resident Francisco Porto said.
The packed house cheered at the 1:05 start time, followed by another boisterous shout when, once the fourth race had ended, the track's signature pink flamingos flew overhead en masse.Hialeah, a National Historic Landmark, was visibly dilapidated as recently as a few months ago. The years of closure had taken their toll, as had hurricane damage the property sustained during that hiatus. Construction crews worked around the clock to bring the luster back to Hialeah's clubhouse.
For the most part, those crews succeeded, as the clubhouse Saturday charmed with its Renaissance Revival architecture, its old-timey light fixtures, and its wall monuments honoring racing greats from decades past.
The restoration is still very much a work in progress, however, with other portions of the property, such as the grandstand, off-limits for now.
Saturday's reopening included other bells and whistles designed to appeal to those who aren't hard-core racing fans. A concert stage featuring salsa superstar Willy Chirino had some attendees dancing as they walked, while children scurried back and forth between an assortment of bounce houses and other rides. The track plans to schedule additional concerts in the coming weeks, and to keep the kiddie rides as a weekend staple.
The park also switched from the less-glamorous quarter-horse race because it is easier to obtain than a thoroughbred racing permit. Before Saturday, Florida hadn't hosted a quarter-horse race since 1991. Eventually, Hialeah hopes to race both quarter horses and thoroughbreds.
State approval for slot machines could be delayed because the Seminole Tribe has yet to agree to a gaming compact with the state. Under current law, Hialeah would only get slots if the Indians and the state strike a deal.
Hialeah's owners are moving forward with racing with the hope that state lawmakers will tweak the law so that Hialeah can have slots regardless of the tribe's actions.
In the meantime, patrons Saturday rejoiced that a picturesque landmark has avoided the wrecking ball.
"It's a place that had to be preserved,'' Hialeah resident Francisco Porto said.
Comments