And that’s a Wrap...Final Turtle Race of the Season

   Where did the summer go ? Everyone I talk to, young and old, agrees that our Summer just flew by this year!! And, with the close of the summer season...did I really say that?...comes the end of Longville’s largest tradition...our Turtle Races. Our loyal, little band of volunteers entertained, literally, thousands of families..creating lifetime memories for all!

   You might say...How does this all happen? Well, it starts at about 7:00 am when Paul pulls the white Turtle Trailer to the corner of 84 and 5 and puts the no parking signs up. Main street is closed at 12:30 and the YMCA fellows show up, led by Aiden. The VFW boys are there as well and together main street is transformed into a carnival atmosphere, with children’s games, hosted by more volunteers, hot dogs and sno cones on the street by Frosty’s, lemonade by our junior entrepeneurs, sloppy Joe’s from the Common Grounds 218..and what would a carnival be like without Cotton Candy..hosted by the Lions. The prize table is loaded with things that the kids go nuts for. We hula hoop, we dance , we sing... All of this sets the stage for the main attraction...The TURTLES.

   Here is where our junior volunteers excel...They get the turtles ready for each race and judge the fastest and slowest in each race..sometimes 30 races.. depending on how many racers are there. Then they shoot out into the ring to scoop up the turtles that have just run, bring out a fresh batch to run ...over and over again. Our hats are off to these fine young people. So, we must say good bye for now to this weekly summertime event...and get on with celebrating our other lovely seasons.

   We are a year round community and have something going on most all of the time. Pick up a Destination Guide or visit our website to see what’s happening in our little village...and you will see why everyone who visits here says..For such a small town how can you do so much? We say...”It takes a village”.