The announcement that came over the loudspeaker claimed that this might be the biggest attendance so far at the 87th running of the Far Hills Annual Race Meeting. Some 50,000 people usually attend this event, and part of the proceeds goes to benefit the Steeplechase Cancer Center at the Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ. The event is always held rain or shine, so each year prospective attendees keep their fingers crossed with an eye to the weather forecast, hoping for the best. This time everyone was rewarded with sunny weather accompanied by a steady cooling breeze and balmy temperatures. The dark cloud which you see in the photo above was the most that Mother Nature cared to threaten – just as a reminder of who is ultimately in control.
My spouse and I had not attended for a few years, mainly because of another family event which usually occurs on the same Saturday. But we had just visited with our out-of-state family, so this time we gladly accepted the annual invitation from our friends. Sometimes, everything works out well!
It’s satisfying to see so many thousands of people of all backgrounds and ages congregated in one spot and behaving so well. As business people are often fond of asking towards the end of a meeting, “What’s the take-away from this?” Two points at least: 1) How remarkable it is that people can be packed so tightly, yet act so civilly. 2) It’s all for the good isn’t it – to simply have some fun and to enjoy camaraderie while contributing to such a worthwhile cause.
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