First Federal's Turtle Races

Summer brings races of all kinds – including the First Federal Turtle Races! Children ages 12 and younger were invited to start their turtles at two free races.

The Red, White & Blue Turtle Races were held on Saturday, June 27, at Arkansas State University Mountain Home. Over 65 turtles registered for the race. Participants came from all over Arkansas, including two who came from Apple Valley, Ca.

The winners:
• First Place: Dalton Welch of Mountain Home and Turtle #21.
• Second Place: Ericka Lamarr of Marshall and Turtle #58.
• Third Place: Myca Treat of Mountain Home and her turtle Sammie, #47.
• Fourth Place: Autumn Smith of Gassville and her turtle Riley, #39.

The 27th Annual Turtle Races were held on Saturday, July 4, on the Square in downtown Harrison. A total of 379 turtles belonging to children ages 12 and younger registered for the race.

Racers were from Harrison and cities all over Arkansas: Alpena, Batavia, Batesville, Bruno-Pyatt, Clinton, Compton, Dogpatch, Everton, Huntsville, Jasper, Jonesboro, Lavaca, Lead Hill, Marble Falls, Maumelle, Mt. Judea, Omaha, Sheridan, Springdale, St. Joe, Valley Springs, Western Grove, and Yellville. Registrants also came from all over the US: Arizona, California, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington.

The three winners: 

• First Place:  Logan Walden of Harrison and his turtle Super Squirt, #97. 
• Second Place:  Tyler Werner of Booneville (Ark.) and his turtle Winner, #252.
• Third Place:  Avery Hensley of Harrison, and her turtle Liberty, #15. 

The winners of both races received trophies and had their picture taken with Chester T. Chipmunk, the president of Chester’s Investor Club, First Federal’s savings account for children.

Read the history of the turtle races, and check out some photos.