Perfect weather and the anticipation of a great 4th of July drew thousands of tourists, cabin and lake property owners and residents to the annual 4th of July parade and day-long activities.
Food, pony rides, and inflatable games kicked off the day at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m. everyone gathered along mainstreet in downtown Longville for the anticipated parade. While folks were setting up their chairs, Wayne Vold, music educator for the Las Vegas School District, a summer resident and former music teacher at Pine River/Backus school district entertained parade spectators with a variety of patriotic songs. Then, when the Longville VFW Post 772 color guard marched into the center circle on mainstreet, the parade participants joined Wayne Vold with singing, The National Anthem. What followed was an array of creative floats sponsored by area businesses and families. Four judges selected the winners in 5 catagories. The judges were Troy and Annette Whitman of Forest Lake, Karen Halley of Forest Lake, and Linda Bachman of So. St. Paul. Fifty units competed for the coveted $50 prize money. The winners, each receiving $50 were Woodland Insurance Agency for most Patriotic; Woodland Bank for most Humorous; Franken Bike III for the most Original; Wilson Family for the Judges Favorite; and Cass County Posse for the Parade Directors favorite.
It was a perfect day for racing and in Longville Minnesota that means turtle racing. Mainstreet of Longville was jammed with racers and their families as they gathered to test their racing skills.The 270 racers that came ready to compete for the top honors were excited as the street was watered down during the afternoon to accommodate the tender feet of the turtles. Nineteen resorts participated in the resort turtle race, the first race of the day. They were Balsam Bay ResortBig Sand Lake, Chippewa LodgeLeech Lake, Pinedale ResortWabedo Lake, Trapper's LandingLeech Lake ,Shady Shores ResortBirch Lake, Broadwater LodgeWoman Lake, Little Boy ResortLittle Boy Lake, Andersen's 4 Seasons Resort Big Thunder Lake, Pikedale Resort Leech Lake, Little Ponderosa Resort Wabedo Lake, Girl Lake Resort Girl Lake of Woman Lake Chain, Pine Haven Resort Blackwater Lake, The Longville Inn on the Boy River Longville, Pine Ridge Resort Girl Lake of Woman Lake Chain, Green Roof Lodge Woman Lake, Family Traditions Resort Boy Lake, Tuck-a-Way Resort Lake Hattie, DOK Holiday Resort Woman Lake, and Thunder Lake Lodge. When the gate opened and the signal was given, the turtles thundered out of the starting circle. The winning racer was fourteen-year-old Craig Pezak of Archbald, PA, who with his family was vacationing at Pine Ridge Resort on Girl Lake part of the Woman Lake chain. Pre-race activities were again very popular. The racing circle was jammed with hula hoopers and dancers. While kids of all ages participated some came up on the turtle mobile stage to lead the dances. Note worthy were the Chicken Dance Singers and the YMCA Dance leaders. Singing the Chicken Dance Song as others danced were Brand Putnam, Omaha, NE; Erin Jacobson, Monticello, MN; Courtney Andresen, Apple Valley, MN and Nolan Webster of New Hampton, IA. The YMCA dance leaders were worth the price of admission alone. They rocked the aging turtle mobile stage as they led those who competed as best dancers. The three leaders were Chad Hillson of Apple Valley, MN; Sam Olson of Lakeville, MN and Alex Moore of Superior WI. After all of the racing had been completed, two racers emerged as the winners in the championship round of racing. Seven year old Sebastian Cook of Federal Dam, MN was the Grand Winner and 24 year old Krystal Grambart of Gilbert, AZ was the Grand Slowpoke Champion. Again, a great crew of volunteers worked hard to make this weekly, summer family activity successful. Caitlin Stagnaro of Red Bird Café and Ryan Skajewski were judge helpers for Pat Boen, chief judge, representing Keller Williams Realty. Anne Broshar, Stan Johnson, and Rose Franta registered racers. Sue Meyer and Jim Felegy sold tickets and souvenirs. Marge McDonald and Dodee Colberg handed out prizes. Game operators were Trista Wynn of Bear Pause Theater, Elsie and Dennis Hagen, Kathy Froehlig, Terry Felegy, Chuck Colberg, Larry Davidson, Debbie and Laura Oates, Kam Kammueller representing The Longville Inn and last-minute replacement, direct from Mule Lake was Al Zahn. Street monitors were David Wodrich and Stan Johnson. Set-up and teardown was handled by the great crew from Camp Olson plus Gerry Broshar, Tony Ozark, Caitlin Stagnaro, and the volunteers. Gordon Atzen, back after a week off, was the Popcorn Man. Tony Ozark and Sandy Weins solved problems on the street. John and Sandy Weins and Gerry Broshar handled announcing duties at the Turtle Mobile. The workers at the Turtle Races wish to acknowledge the dedication of one of their own, Mary Lou Austin, who passed away last week. Right up to the Wednesday before she died, she was helping her replacement, Pat Boen, with the task of judging. Mary Lou served as head judge at the turtle races for over 30 years.
One could imagine that the rain gods would again descend on the Longville, MN area just enough to ruin turtle races. However, whatever was in the atmosphere skirted the area
In the heart of lake country, Longville, Minnesota sticks out as a must go to destination. Longville, Minnesota is proud to be the Turtle Race Capital of the World.
Longville Turtle Races will begin Wednesday June 10 in the center circle of downtown main street. The volunteers arc ready for this summer's main street attraction, the prizes have been purchased, the equipment has been painted, and the turtles are patiently waiting for their turn in the sun.
This 30k run starts in Longville, Minnesota and goes all around Woman Lake and Girl Lake which is part of the Woman Lake Chain and ends back in Longville, MN
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