Three Youngsters Take Top Honors at August 14 Longville Turtle Races
It was a perfect day for racing on August 14 as 369 competitors entered the downtown Longville circle to race turtles and have lots of fun. At the end of the day, three youngsters went home with the top honors.
Mara Vacek, age 2, of St. Charles, Missouri, won the Grand Champion race while Ava Wilmes, age 5, of Afton, Minnesota, was named Grand Slowpoke. The Chamber Resort Race was won by Dakota Blue Schroeder, age 9, of Savage, Minnesota, representing Longville Inn.
The Longville Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize the volunteers who make this event possible. Race judges were Pat Boen of RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, Dakota Blue Schroeder of Longville Inn and Cathy Stagnaro.
Dodee Colberg and Mary Ann Straley registered racers, while Rosalie Letson and Terri Felegy sold tickets and souvenirs. Ed Lammers of Lakeland Promotions and Pat Bothast managed the prize table, assisted by Evelyn and Karl Ordorff.
Game operators included Mike and Kathy Froehlig, Elsie Hagen, Chuck Colberg, Gordy Atzen, Mary Jo Shurtleff, Dennis Zuelke of Salem Lutheran Church, Jim Garner of Birdies Mini-Golf and Water Wars, Kathy Sweeney of Woodland Insurance and volunteers from Luther Dell Bible Camp.
Craig Riendeau of Thunder Lake Lodge registered racers for the Chamber Resort Race. Katie Daudt made and sold fresh popcorn, donating a portion of the proceeds to World Vision.
Setup and tear down were handled by Jake Woodworth and his team from Camp Olson YMCA, along with Bob Saalborn, Don Shurtleff, Tom Hasser, Tom Carpenter and Tom Kutschied of VFW Post 772. Street managers were Stan Johnson and Dave Wodrich.
Jake Spartz was the official turtle race announcer, assisted by Tom Lund of VFW Post 772.
The Longville turtle race season is winding down, with the last turtle race on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Race registration and the contests and games open at 1 p.m. The Chamber Resort Race is held at 2 p.m., followed by the regular turtle races. Painted turtles can be rented for $3 or you can bring your own.
More photos are available on the Longville Chamber’s website, www.Longville.com, and Facebook page. Proceeds from the turtle races benefit community activities sponsored by the Longville Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
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