5th annual lawnmower races raise funds for sight

From Staff Reports

The fifth annual Lawnmower Race for the Pea Ridge community sponsored by the Pea Ridge Lions Club is scheduled for Saturday, July 25.

This year's race will be at the Bill Patterson Farm, just east of the Pea Ridge Vet Clinic (across the road from the Battlefield View sub-division).

Everyone is invited to come out and share in the drama and excitement. The lawnmower races feature modified, geared up and hopped up riding lawnmowers, capable of speeds between 45 and 60 miles per hour, racing on a 500-foot oval track. Many of the racers will be coming from the Yocum Creek Raceway near Green Forest.

Local lawnmower tinkerers are encouraged to take on building and racing a machine of their own.

On race day, gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and the races will begin at 6 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available at the race site; fans are encouraged to come and have supper at the races. Plenty of handicap parking will be available. For children, bouncy houses will be open for fun, and some special race competitions are planned for the kids. Race-for-Sight T-shirts will be for sale on site.

Lions Club members invite other local non-profit organizations to set up information booths. Booth space will be available without charge. To arrange for booth space, send an email requesting booth space for your organization to [email protected].

The Race-for-Sight Lawnmower Race is the Pea Ridge Lions Club's main fundraising event to benefit the club's sight conservation activities. The club offers financial assistance to persons needing eye exams and eyeglasses, and sometimes helps with more serious eye therapies. The local club currently is seeking to raise funds for the purchase of an eyesight-screening camera for screening the eyesight of young children.

To inquire about the Lawnmower Races or about the Lions Club, contact Harry Palmer at 479-640-0767, Jerry Nichols at 479-621-1621, or John or Melissa Tjarks at 479-644-9652; or send an email inquiry to [email protected].