CHURUBUSCO, Ind. – The brochures and raffle tickets and posters are printed, registrations for festival events are rolling in, and children are busy catching that enthusiastic, fast-sprinting turtle that just might win the big race at the Churubusco Turtle Days Festival June 17-20.
Indiana’s longest, continuously running festival began 60 years ago after the small town made headlines around the world with sightings of a giant turtle on privately owned Fulk Lake in rural Churubusco.
The Turtle Days Festival Committee is celebrating the The 60th Celebration of “Oscar” with a festival jam-packed with new events as well as traditional favorites.
The 4-day festival will end with a grand finale fireworks Saturday, June 20, at dusk in the park.
A few of the popular events include:
Turtle Races
The turtle race – hosted by the Churubusco Chamber of Commerce – will be held Saturday at noon, with registration of turtles beginning at 11 a.m. in the Churubusco Community Park on ball diamond 1, adjacent to the Burton Bros. Midway rides and concessions.
Winners will be chosen in each category – tiny, small, medium, large and extra large, as well as most unusual, traveled the farthest, largest, smallest (no – eggs do not count) and best trained. The winner of all heats will be crowned the new Oscar champion of 2009, and the turtle and its owner will lead the Saturday night parade, along with this year’s Grand Marshal, Oscar himself.
Be aware that some native Indiana turtles, such as the Eastern box turtle, are on the endangered/concerned list. Turtle Days officials ask race participants to please protect wildlife and leave those turtles in their homes.
After turtles have finished their day of racing, the Turtle Days Association suggests that you please set them free to their natural habitat.
Talent Night
The popular Talent Night will be Thursday, June 18, at the entertainment stage in the park, near ball diamond 2 and the food concession alley.
Act 1 will be held from 6-8 p.m. and Act 2 will be held from 8:15-10 p.m.
The Talent Show is open to people of all ages and talents and abilities. Print the form below and register early to reserve your spot.
Turtle Days Parade
The Annual Turtle Days Festival parade – sponsored by National City Bank – will be held Saturday, June 20, beginning at 6 p.m. on South Main Street and Clingerman Avenue.
It will travel south on Main Street to Washington Street and turn west, ending at the Churubusco Schools’ parking lot.
This year’s theme for entries and floats is The 60th Celebration of “Oscar.” Prizes will be awarded in each category for those entries which best capture the spirit of this year’s theme.
As a special promotion and to entice more parade floats, separate cash prizes and group pizza parties will be given out to winners in the float category.
So, get your group or organization together and put on your thinking hats. Come up with a float that best captures The 60th Celebration of “Oscar,” and you, along with family and friends, could be enjoying a free pizza party in the park later this summer.
To register fill out the form below or contact: Robin Ramsey, Parade Coordinator, P.O. Box 187, Churubusco, IN 46723; call 260-433-6250 or go to turtledayscelebrations@turtledays.com.
Trap Shoot
Coming back for its second year after a successful debut in 2008, the Churubusco Conservation Club Turtle Days Trap Shoot will be held Saturday, June 20, at the Ideal Fish and Game Club on U.S. 33, just south of Churubusco.
The competition is open to the public. There is a $20 entry fee and a pay out to the top three places in each class. Refreshments will be available.
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Sign-up and Open Shooting
- 12 – 1 p.m. – New Shooter Safety Instruction/Firing Line Etiquette
- 1 – 3:30 p.m. – Lewis Class Trap Shoot
For a complete listing of events, pick up a brochure at local participating businesses.
Proceeds from Turtle Days Festival Association events help support the Churubusco Community Park.
For more information or registration forms, go to turtledays.com or buscovoice.com.
