Fred Nichols, Bangor Raceway's director of racing, will be in the spotlight October 16. A barn dedication ceremony in Fred's name at Noon attended by colleagues, friends and family will start things off.

Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway and Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association are co-hosting the tribute.

The welcome address will be given by Corey Smith, representing the hotel and raceway. Special remarks will be spoken by John J. Ginnetti Jr., President of the New England Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Assoc. The formal dedication presentation will be made by Mike Andrew, President of the Maine Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association

Nichols was instrumental in the preservation of Bangor's Historic Track as well as opening another chapter in Maine's harness racing history. His fondness for the sport goes back to his younger days when he sold a 'tip sheet' at a west coast track, later bought a horse which was an instant money winner after just five races and was responsible later obtaining investors in the 1990's to purchase the track from the city of Bangor. Several years later a state-wide vote for expanded gambling was approved and in 2005 the track was sold to Penn National Gaming, Inc. and the Hollywood Slots Hotel and Raceway was born.

Scores of horsemen came forward when the track was about to go under and kept it race ready through hard work.

Now in its 127th year of racing the track's history which goes back to the 1880's is embarking on its new role in the 21st century.

I can remember July, 1997 when the champion Niatross made a stop at Bangor, complete with his handler. And on a bright sunny day the late Ken Ward, columnist for the Bangor Daily News (Railbird) had the pleasure of jogging him around Historic track.

After the barn dedication, a live racing program starts at 1 p.m. and will feature a Hall of Fame race for the visiting New England writers and guests.

Later, Nichols will join William Parker Jr., Don Marean, Robert Lieberman, Nicholas W.S. Scott and Ed Bither, all of which will be inducted into the New England Harness Writers Hall of Fame.

For Nichols it's been one heck of a ride. And the key he used to get there can be summed up in one word--PERSEVERANCE.

To view the formal invitation for the Barn Ceremony, click here.