Annette Beard
"It gets better every year!"
That was the consensus of racers and audience members alike.
The fifth annual Lawnmower Race sponsored by the Pea Ridge Lions Club was attended by about 400 people Saturday. There were 26 racers who came from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.
"We had people who were from out of town who were passing through town, saw the signs and stopped for the race," Jerry Nichols, Lions Club member, said. "They thought it was great and were going to put us on their calendar for next year."
Lions Club member Michael Nida said: "All feedback from racers was positive, they stated that they were very impressed with the track, it gets better every year and they love the turnout that Pea Ridge provides each year."
Lions Club president Melissa Tjarks said that, according to O.K. Mower Racing's Facebook post: 'It gets better every time we come, we had a great time and promise we'll be back next year... We love running at your track, it gets better and better each year."
"This year's Race for Sight was great!" Tjarks said. "Despite the heat, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The racers were very complementary of the track and are already looking forward to doing it again next year! They are some of the nicest, good-hearted people you'll ever have the pleasure to meet, and the Pea Ridge Lions Club will be making plans soon to do what we can to assist them in some of the charity work that they do."
Racers were from Yocum Creek Speedway racers, Yocum, Ark., O.K. Mower Racing from Claremore, Okla., and racers from Coffeyville, Kan., and from Emporia, Kan., and Dale Lofts (known as Dozer Dave) from Jane, Mo.
The races were truly a community event, Tjarks said, with assistance from the City of Pea Ridge Parks and fire departments, Jason Nida for the sound system, Darla Nix and crew at Cannonball Café, Pat Webb and Johnny Shockley for their help and the community for coming out and showing its continuous support.
"We wish to give special thanks to all the racers who came out -- they are so good to us and we truly appreciate them! This event would be impossible without them!" she said. "And we're very grateful to Bill Patterson for the use of his field."
Sponsors included A-OK Insurance, Arvest Bank - Pea Ridge, Bud Anderson Heating & Cooling (Lowell, Ark.), Pea Ridge Masonic Lodge, Sonic Drive-In- Pea Ridge, New Life Graphics, Beaver Farms, Parenti-Morris Eyecare, Mike and Shauna Nida, Flying RF Signs and Designs, Farmers Cooperative (Bentonville), Visions Hair Salon, Oak View Animal Clinic, 4-M Service, Inc., Nichols Farms, O'Reilly Auto Parts (Pea Ridge), Flying RF Feed and Farm Supply, Scott's Handyman Services (Pea Ridge), KURM Radio and Farmers Protective Mutual Insurance Co.
Community on 07/29/2015