The Turtle Racing Capital Of The World

Every Wednesday in Longville, Minnesota located on the eastern side of Cass County, the City Father's close off Main Street to have what is called Turtle Days. Shutting down the main drag isn't that big of a chore since it's only 1 block long. A circle painted in green, about 30 feet in diameter, is painted on the pavement. In the center, also painted are the letters START. Kids from the surrounding lake areas, mostly vacationers, vie to have a turtle race to the outside of the circle to win a prize. The kids place their turtles on the START mark and when some dude yells 'Go' the animals race to the outside of the circle.

This sport has been going on in this community of 150 for 51 years and every time my grandchildren are at our lake home we drive over for the festivities. It's a 30 minute drive but the scenery is magnificent. Lakes on either side of County Road 5 make for an interesting sight.

I have to admit whoever named these lakes must have had other more important items on their agenda. Along the way you'll see Woman Lake, Boy Lake, Girl Lake, Child Lake. You get the picture.

Sometimes, when I see events I begin to ask questions. Take for instance the turtle races. There must be around 100 of these reptiles in a tub of water. There are heats, 15 kids at a time and a total of 100 signed up. At the end the winner of his or heat races for the championship. It seems to me this is a lot of physical pressure on Tudor the Turtle.
I'm mystified that PETA or some other humane society hasn't brought suit to stop this inhumanity toward our little shelled friends. Trust me when I write it'll happen some day. The only reason it's lasted this long is no one can find Longville.

My grandkids didn't want to do the racing thing. They love playing games to get prizes all of which had to be made in China. The games are simple in nature; a ring toss, throwing a bean bag in a hole, etc.

Every kid wins every time. If a kid is under 4 all they have to do get get a prize is be breathing. They don't even have to try.

I took three grandchildren; a girl 10, a boy age 7 and another girl age of 4. There are thousands of rinky dink prizes, mostly junk. It did my heart good to see the grandson grab water pistols, paper airplanes and plastic knives. The lasses went for wrist bands and small girlie purses.

My grandchildren are aware of their identity and that's a good thing. Makes a Grandpa proud.