It’s not overpowering, but people say they can always feel it. Sitting in the oldest concrete grandstand in the country, patrons can take it all in — unless they desire to get closer to what has made Suffolk special. Fans can lean over the fence and feel the airstream produced by the stars of the track: the thoroughbreds.

History can fly, too, and today the track will celebrate its 75th anniversary.

Suffolk was built in 1935 on an unleveled slab, between a landfill and neighboring farmland. The track became one of Boston’s biggest landmarks, attracting a daily attendance of around 15,000 in its first year. Hall of Fame jockey George Woolf rode Top Row to victory in the first Massachusetts Handicap. The legendary Seabiscuit and jockey Red Pollard won in record time before more than 40,000 fans.

But history can also bring inevitable change.

The track now attracts small fields of undistinguished horses, unable to produce the showcases it once did. There are also concerns about how long it can stay in business: Suffolk is the only track left in New England with a thoroughbred calendar.

That’s why today’s celebration is so important to those who grew up with Suffolk — the anniversary brings back memories. And they hope new patrons to the track will be swept up by the breeze of horse racing.

Hannon, 82, has worked at Suffolk for 57 years, which makes him the longest active employee. But Hannon didn’t always take bets from others — he used to be the voice who told bettors if they were lucky or unlucky.

Hannon was the track announcer for more than 20 years. He started working at Suffolk in 1953, selling pastrami and beer, but was fired for reading The Daily Racing Form instead of working. He went on to work with announcer Babe Rubenstein, whom Hannon replaced in 1969.

After the track closed for two years, starting in 1989, new management wanted a different announcer. Hannon said the decision was heartbreaking. But he also knew he couldn’t leave.

“I love this place,’’ he said. “I would miss it too much.’’

Now Hannon sits in booth No. 116, waiting for bettors. On some days, people remind him of his call in the 1987 MassCap, arguably Suffolk’s most memorable race for its frantic finish. On this day, Christian Teja, Suffolk’s vice president of marketing, shows Hannon the race on his iPhone.

Hannon puts his left ear close to the phone as he hears himself screaming at underdog Waquoit’s win over favorite Broad Brush by a nose: “A ding-dong battle to the wire. It’s Waquoit and Broad Brush!

“A lot of people remember me for that,’’ said Hannon, who is called “Big Jim’’ by many. “Racing was big time, and it wasn’t because of me.’’

Today, Suffolk will have a 1935 feel to it. There will be a carousel, carnival games, street performers, a Dixieland band, a bugler, and antique cars. Hannon hopes people recognize the excitement horse racing can provide.

“I just think that racing really needs something to get it going again,’’ he said. “Maybe going back to the old days might wake a few people up.’’

Tammi is a leading jockey this year with 31 wins, and husband John is her agent. Their story is a familiar one at Suffolk, where families can trace back generations working at the track.

Tammi started out as a show horse rider on a farm in Salisbury, N.H., then became a jockey in 1985. She rode Tour d’Or to a third-place finish in the 1987 MassCap.

“I love New England,’’ said Tammi, Suffolk’s riding champion in 2007. “If you can ride on this track, you can ride anywhere.’’

The couple has proven that. Tammi has ridden at Saratoga and Belmont Park. Early in their marriage, John asked his wife if they could do better riding at more prestigious tracks, where the money is larger and the competition tougher.

Tammi did not want to move. She had a passion for Suffolk. But she also knew staying home can be difficult.

Tammi suffered career-threatening injuries in 2008 after her horses fell in back-to-back weeks. John, concerned for his wife’s health, had to ask the difficult question.

“Tammi, I don’t know,’’ he told her. “With the two kids, maybe we shouldn’t do this anymore?’’

Tammi’s response: “I would do it for free.’’

The answer amazed John. How could she be so sure? He thought about it for a long time, even after Tammi returned to the track a month later, winning more races. Now, as John walks to his car after another day of races, he knows his family depends on Suffolk.

“This is home,’’ he said with a smile. “This is why we’re here. The history of this place is special. We need Saturday to be big.’’

McCarron rode Waquoit to the win in the 1987 MassCap. He was also the all-time leader in career earnings among jockeys when he retired in 2002. McCarron watched video of the 1987 MassCap, too, which he said brought pride to the hometown fans.

“I just knew I was headed back to a tremendous round of applause,’’ said McCarron, who now lives in Sierra Madre, Calif.

When McCarron learned of Suffolk’s anniversary celebration, he said he did not hesitate to come. But McCarron also knows that a successful showing today will help keep Suffolk around for years.

At the end of this month, lawmakers will decide on a compromise gambling bill that could give Suffolk its proposal for a resort-style casino.

“There are a lot of wonderful things that have happened here,’’ McCarron said. “Any time you have an establishment like Suffolk, it would be an absolute tragedy if it went by the wayside.’’