Published: June 29, 2008 09:23 am            

Turtle races have long history

Turtle races have a long history in Woodward.

They have an even longer history in Oklahoma.

According to an article entitled “Colorful Terrapin Derby: Fad of Turtle Racing Originated at Ranch,” which was printed in the Ponca City News on Sept. 16, 1955, turtle racing actually got its start in Kay County, Okla. at the 101 Ranch.

The article claims “legend has it that Col. Joe Miller, one of the Miller brothers who owned the 101, conceived the idea while watching two or three of the small land terrapins which infested this area crawling to get out of the sun one day on the ranch.

Thus, the Miller brothers immediately arranged for the first Terrapin Derby to be held on Labor Day, 1924. And it continued as the feature of the 101 Ranch Labor Day round-up activities until 1931.”

After the first derby, word spread quickly and the event became quite popular, growing to over 5,000 entries by 1927, according to Darlene Platt, operations assistant for Marland’s Grand Home in Ponca City.

However, according to the Derby article, “ironically . . . it was the publicity which indirectly led to the outlawing by the U. S. Post Office service of such derbies.”

Platt explained that the derbies were considered a lottery and it was illegal to gamble or advertise gambling by mail, which is what the Miller brothers had been doing as they sent notifications about the derbies out through the mail.

The postal service ruling in combination with the beginning of the Great Depression brought an end to the great terrapin derbies at the 101 Ranch.

Fortunately, though, that did not bring an end to turtle races entirely.

In fact, it seemed to be just the beginning for turtle racing traditions throughout the state and the nation.

Woodward’s own tradition of holding races on the 4th of July has been going strong for “at least 50 years, maybe longer,” according to Ronnie Brittain, who has organized the races for the AMBUCS since 1984.

While not knowing exactly when or how the races got their start in Woodward, Brittain said he does know they are a popular event and hopes they will continue for another 50 years or longer.

The turtle races, which are held the morning of July 4, are traditionally the final event in a long list of races that the AMBUCS sponsor as part of Woodward’s Independence Day celebrations.

This year turtle registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. Then beginning at 9 a.m., children will compete in various races from foot and sack races to tricycle and bicycle races.

First, second and third place ribbons are presented to the winners of each event, Brittain said, noting that participant ribbons are also passed out to each child who competes.

After all the other races are completed, the turtle races will begin, Brittain said, noting that the turtles are raced on a special track in sets of 10, with the top two turtles of every set advancing until there are only eight to 10 turtles left for the grand champion race.

Trophies will then be awarded to the grand champion and the turtles who come in second and third.

In years past, most participants tended to use turtles that they found on the side of the road. Brittain recommended smaller turtles like box turtles since they fit inside his specially-built turtle race track.

He also urged families to bring extra turtles if they find them, so that more children can participate.

Last year, approximately 130 turtles competed in the races, Brittain said.

“We invite everybody to come out and enjoy,” he said.

All the children’s games, including the turtle races, are held near the old tennis courts at Crystal Beach Park.

Crystal Beach is also the site of the city’s annual fireworks show, which is scheduled to begin around 10 p.m. Friday.

“Even given all the construction, Crystal Beach is a great place to spend the 4th of July,” said Chamber of Commerce President C. J. Montgomery.

        

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