Turtle races return to Longville

Every Wednesday through Aug. 14 is Turtle Race Time in downtown Longville

From 1-3:30 p.m., Main Street will be blocked off for games, contests and, of course the Turtle Races.

About 1 p.m. after everything has been set up, the games and contests begin. This includes the YMCA dance, chicken dance and hula-hoop contest, to name a few.

Promptly at 2 p.m. the turtle races begin.

For a $5 fee, race participants get a turtle race button and a numbered sticker. When your race heat is called, turtle vendors bring out the painted turtles. Participants young and old can select which turtle they are going to race.

The first race of the day is the “Chamber Resort Turtle Race.” This race is for any Chamber member resort that sends a participant for the resort race. To participate, you first get a resort race ticket from your resort, then present it at the registration table.

The regular turtle races start right after the resort race. Run in heats of 10, 12 or 15 turtles, the turtle racers gather in the center circle. Turtle vendors bring out the turtles selected for that heat. At the moment the announcer yells “go” and special turtle race music begins, the racers release their turtles. Instinctively, the turtles head out from the inner circle across the pavement to cross the outer circle.

The fastest turtle to cross the outer circle wins a green ribbon, a special prize coupon and an opportunity to race again for big prizes in the championship round. The turtle that, for some unknown reason, chooses not to head out of the inner circle and ends up closest to the letter “A in the word “START” is declared the heat’s “slow poke.” This race participant wins a white ribbon, a special prize coupon and a chance to race again in the slow poke championship round.

The victors from championship rounds are awarded lots of prizes given by Chamber member businesses.