First Federal's Turtle Races

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

The 7th Annual Red, White & Blue Turtle Races were held on Friday, June 24, at Arkansas State University Mountain Home. 97 turtles registered for the race. Racers were from Mountain Home and cities around Arkansas: Calico Rock, Flippin, Gassville, Jordan, Little Rock, Midway, Norfork, Paragould, Salesville, and Viola. Registrants also came from Alaska and Kansas.

The Mountain Home winners: 

• First Place: Josiah Newsom of Mountain Home, racer #78. 
• Second Place: Micaela McLean of Mountain Home, racer #28.
• Third Place: Aubrey, Katie, and Faye Holliday of Mountain Home, racer #68.  

First Federal Bank’s 29th Annual Turtle Races were held on Monday, July 4, on the Square in downtown Harrison. A total of 299 turtles registered for the race. Racers were from Harrison and cities all over Arkansas: Alpena, Bergman, Booneville, Conway, Deer, Dogpatch, Everton, Fayetteville, Huntsville, Jasper, Little Rock, Marble Falls, Omaha, Sheridan, Springdale, St. Joe, Valley Springs, Vendor, and Western Grove. Registrants also came from Alaska, California, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington – and Canada! – more than last year’s visitors from just three other states.

The Harrison winners: 

• First Place: Lila Jones of Harrison and her turtle Turtlie, #50. 
• Second Place: Eliza Drewry of Valley Springs and her turtle Sparklie, #95.
• Third Place: Bryce Barrett of Harrison and his turtle Fatso, #144.  

The winners 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 from past events.