Perham's International Turtle Races
2011 Tory Winner: Cole Kirkpatrick from Fargo, ND
August 31, 2011 Race Results
Grand Champions: Brenda Lunceford (Middle - Rockville, MN), 2nd place Abby Zepper (Left - Perham, MN) and 3rd place (right) to Spence Copeland (Owatonna, MN)
We had only 52 racers today from: Minnesota, North Dakota and Alaska.
Thanks for all participants to make this the best year yet for a record number of racers!
August 24 Race Results
Grand Champions: Joseph Stinger (Netherlands), Kaity Turnis and Alli Schramel.
We had 147 Racers today from: California, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota and Virginia. International racers from the Netherlands.
August 17, 2011 Race Results
Grand Champions: Logan Brekke (Frazee, MN), Elizabeth Flatau (St. Francis, MN), and Ben Olander (Staples, MN). Pictured with Paige Meyer - Miss Perham.
We had 238 racers today from: Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa,Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota,Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
We had international racers from: Ulan Bator, Mongolia
2011 Volunteer Staff! Thanks for all YOU DO!
August 10, 2011 Race Results
Shaving of Mayor Tim Meehl's head.
Mayor Meehl gave us a challenge to beat last year's Turtle Race numbers. Since we reached the goal of 550 in one day, he agreed to - once AGAIN - shave his head. (The previous record number of racers was 517 set last year during July 4th.) Taking the first shave is his daughter Kelli Meehl.
Grand Champions: Grand Champion was Mason Mickelson (Frazee, MN), 2nd Place was Harper ones (Los Angeles, CA) and 3rd place went to McKenzie Kinzel (Dickinson, ND)
We had 320 racers today from: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
We had International racers here from: Thailand and England
August 3, 2011 Race Results
Newly crowned Miss Perham - Paige Meyer is orientated in with Turtle Race Volunteers. Thank you again VOLUNTEERS for all the time you invest to make these races happen.
Winners Today: Faith (West Palm, FL), Haley (McKinville, VA), Charlie (Owatonna, MN) and the newly crowned Miss Perham Paige Meyer.
We had 338 Racers today from: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. We also had International racers here from Canada.
July 27, 2011 Race Results
Winners today were: Keaton (Breckenridge, MN), Grand Champopm Abby Zepper (Perham, MN), Miss Perham Brittany Bachmann, and Bria Riepe (Jacksonville, FLA)
We had 421 Racers today from: California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
We had Internatinal racers today from: Switzerland and Hong Kong.
2011 ANNUAL GRAND KID's CAMP Gang!
Thanks for coming to Perham's Turtle Races.
July 20, 2011 Race Results
Winners today were: Grand Champion Jack Mensing (Perham, MN), Second Place went to Corbon (Bellview, NE) and third place to Abby Zepper (Perham, MN).
We hadd 355 Racers today from: Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. We also had Internatinal racers from Canada.
July 13, 2011 Race Results
Winners Today were: Grand Champion Jacey Klassen (York, NE) 2nd place Jenna Molenhoff (Watertown, SD), and 3rd place to Willow Nelson (Sioux Falls, WI.)
We had 355 racers today from: California,Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin
We had Internationall racers from: Canada and Argentina
"Rio" is proof that anyone...... any size..... any age can enjoy Turtle Races!
Who Can Race: Anyone old enough to hold a turtle.
Where are they held: at City Hall Park - next to The Chamber
When are they held: Every Wednesday. Registration starts at 10 am and races begin at 10:30 am (June - August)
Turtles: You can bring your own turtle if you have one...otherwise if not, you can use one of ours.
Come and ride the "Perham Express"
Every Wednesday for $2 per person you can take a tour of Perham in this trolley type train.
The train runs from approximately 10am - 12:30 pm. It loads and unloads on Mainstreet infront of The Station House Restaurant.
Thank you Volunteers!!
We could not have Turtle Races without you!
If you would like to volunteer please contact the Chamber office..... 218-346-7710.
Perham FFA Donation
A special thank you to the Perham FFA for care of the turtles!!
Dan Schroeder (chamber director), Ryan Franks, Emily Young, Mike Lehman Carl Aakre (program director) and Tanner Hofius
Perham's International Turtle Races
are the highlight of the summer for local residents and numerous visitors of all ages to the area. At the first turtle race in 1978, circles were drawn on the parking lot of the local Post Office and 23 kids showed up.
Since 1983 the Perham Area Chamber Of Commerce holds the turtle
races at the Turtle Park between the Perham Area Chamber Of Commerce building the Perham City Hall. They are held every Wednesday morning at 10:30 am during the months of June, July and August, rain or shine. Registration begins at 10:00 am.
The races start with turtles in the middle of the circle, the judges blow their whistles and the turtles are off and running! The first turtle to get to outside the outer circle is the winner and will race to be the Grand Champion of the day.
Bring your own champion turtle to race, but if you can't catch one, you can always borrow one from the Turtle Pits. Participation is free, but donations are always welcome to help house and feed our reptilian athletes throughout the summer.
All participants in the turtle races receive a goodie bag with free or discount coupons from sponsoring businesses, a sample from Kenny's Candy or Barrel O' Fun potato chips and a participation ribbon. The bags are provided by Perham Memorial Hospital and Home.
Over the years, this special event has drawn in racers and spectators from all over the US, Canada and beyond- Africa, Europe, Japan, Korea, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Italy. So we invite you to come and be a part of our favorite summer tradition.......Perham's International Turtle Races!
Perham Area Chamber of Commerce
185 East Main Street
Perham MN 56573
218-346-7710
