This Friday, June 2, a group of local New Orleans artists, advocates, and entertainers will come together to  utilize humans, not horses, at the Easton Playground later this year. Human Horse Races kicked off in November 2019 to a crowd of over 300 people. It is a free, family friendly, Thanksgiving Day alternative to the race tracks. Festival goers enjoy live music, drinks, and races consisting of human horses sprinting their jockey to the finish line.

Organizer Ingrid Anderson told OffBeat, “This Friday, June 2 will be our ‘horse’ debut for the new characters racing this year, and it’s the kickstarter to raise funds to make this free Thanksgiving Day event happen.” Last year’s roster of equestrian talent included Frisky Ménage and Debra the Zebra.

This year’s event is especially poignant to organizers, as animal rights activists and others were infuriated by the deaths of a total of seven horses leading up to the final Kentucky Derby race early this may. As reported by NPR, The disturbing death toll seen at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, is the latest scandal to hit the horse race industry despite recent efforts to make the sport safer for animals.

The event to raise money for a horse racing alternative in New Orleans during the holidays will take place Friday, June 2 at Saturn Bar, 3067 St. Claude Avenue. Admission is $10. While the Human Horse Races are family-friendly, this event is adults only.

This piece has been updated to reflect that the event in November takes place at Easton Playground, not the Fairgrounds.