Just weeks before Pimlico Race Course closes all public-facing activity, fans and friends were invited to gather for a special appreciation day as Maryland horse racing takes the first steps of an industry transition.

Pimlico will cease training, wagering and all “customer facing activities” at the end of the month, as the racetrack’s new owner — the state of Maryland — prepares an overhaul of the facilities. Demolition work is expected to begin this fall, though the 150th Preakness Stakes will take place at Pimlico next year.

“It’s overwhelming in a good way,” said Audra Madison, marketing director for the Maryland Jockey Club. “But we’re excited for a new chapter to begin.”

At fan appreciation day Sunday, visitors browsed Preakness and Pimlico merchandise from years past and left with up to two items. The giveaways included baseball caps, hoodies, T-shirts and other accessories.

It was also an opportunity to linger and listen to calm, jazzy music from the Rob Reason Group and for friends to reflect on memories from the racetrack.

Karin Kendrick said she likes to come to the racetrack with her mother and to share a glass of wine. To choose which animal to bet on, Kendrick said, her mother “would look at the horses’ faces and say, ‘That’s the one.’”

Kendrick was visiting Pimlico with Marsha Hairston , a friend. Hairston said she comes to the racetrack with her husband, who would “come with a bunch of old guys” who all knew each other.

“They all knew who to go to, who to share their little booklet with,” Hairston said.

After the Maryland Stadium Authority begins demolition work at Pimlico this fall, day-to-day operations at Pimlico and Laurel Park will transfer from The Stronach Group to the state, according to Pimlico.

State lawmakers approved a plan called Pimlico Plus this year that will lead to the demolition of the track and facilities and replace them with a smaller, modern grandstand and a new race surface.

The 150th Preakness will be at Pimlico amid that work. The 151st Preakness, though, will be at Laurel Park. The middle jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown is expected to return to Baltimore in 2027.

The Stronach Group, which sold Pimlico to the state for $1, will continue to hold the rights to run Preakness and lease them to the state for an annual $3 million fee, plus 2% of the gross betting handle for the weekend.

Once completed, the new Pimlico will serve as the primary home of live racing in the state and Laurel Park will close.

Baltimore Banner editor Brandon Weigel contributed to this article.

This story has been updated to accurately reflect anecdotes from Karin Kendrick and Marsha Hairston.