Turtle Days set for July in Turtle Lake

Turtle Lake Chamber of Progress has announced the schedule of events for this year’s Turtle Days July 8-10. Highlighted by the 30th annual National and World Turtle Races which will run at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 9, a street dance featuring the music of 32 Below and the Western Edge Bull-a-Rama and mutton bustin’ rodeo on Sunday, this year’s event offers something for the whole family.

Saturday events for all ages begin with the annual Turtle Trot at 7:30 a.m. followed by the Turtle Days parade at 10 a.m., followed by a children’s carnival and street fair featuring numerous vendors, a soap box derby at 11 a.m. and turtle races at 1 p.m. Anyone can enter a turtle in the races. The horseshoe tournament has grown to a maximum of 40 teams. New events include the gurney races and rubber duck races. A drawing to drive a car in the soap box derby will give two young racers a chance to compete to be grand champion. The All School Reunion Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Ed Rath Auditorium.

The dunk tank goes on during the day followed by children’s tractor pull at 3 p.m. and then an egg toss and ski races. A book presentation by author Vernon Keel will be held at 2 p.m. at the American Legion.

Sunday starts with a community church service at 10:30 a.m. welcoming all denominations followed by the annual Lions BBQ at 11 a.m. in City Park. At 1 p.m. the Rubber Duck Race will be held at the canal and in concluding the Turtle Days event is the Western Edge Bull-A-Rama featuring junior and senior bull riding competition at the rodeo grounds just south of town. The children get a leg over as well with the annual mutton bustin’ rodeo that will run before the bull riding starts.

A detailed schedule and entry forms for all events can be obtained online at www.turtlelakend.org or at the city offices. For more information go to the website www.turtlelakend.org or contact Teresa Presser at 701-448-2323, mercerbisonlodge@att.blackberry.net.

Tags: turtle acre, sports, races