Freighter View Assisted Living in Sault Ste. Marie celebrated I-500 race week with a luncheon on Friday before the big race on Saturday.
Freighter View has sponsored #34 Kovar-Pike racing for several years.
The inside was decked out with I-500 signs, racing flags and balloons supporting their #34 team.
It was also a time when residents could share memories about the I-500.
Garth MacMaster, 82, went to the I-500 race several decades ago but was not able to witness the race.
"The sad thing is the only time I went there was with my children about fifty years ago. We got about halfway into the event and my kids were all freezing so I had to take them back home. It was a cold day in February. So it's sad to say that is the only memory I have of attending the I-500 race," MacMaster said.
Another resident, Bob Ward, laughed and said he stopped having birthdays after 80, said the last time he went to a race was back in 1989.
"I went to the time trials a lot. Sometimes I went to the races but the time trials were more fun because you could go down in the pits. I remember when Kentucky Fried Chicken would bring their van out full of chicken and sell it for lunch," Ward said.
Marion Miller, 88, went to the iconic race several times.
"I think the race is very important for the city because it helps the economy. It gets people out and have a good time. I have gone to the race four or five times. My husband used to volunteer with the Lions Club. The fun we had, going as a family. We took our five children, had an old camper and parked it there sometimes and enjoyed the race," Miller explained.
Activities director, Susan Michalski, says it's all about the camaraderie of the residents and recalling special times.
"We always have, on the Friday before the race, we have all the decorations and have a cake. We have a few residents that have been to the races and have volunteered there. We have been going around this week asking them about their memories of the race. Our residents now don't have a chance to get out there so it's nice we have this in here," Michalski said.
