Perham’s Turtle Fest

Go, go, go to Perham this summer

Don’t miss the town’s beloved Turtle Races and Turtle fest

BY ELIZABETH VIERKANT | FOR SUMMERSCAPE

Every summer for over 40 years, Perham’s International Turtle Races have attracted a crowd of people who come from all over the world.

Held each Wednesday throughout the summer at Turtle Race Park, located next to the Perham Area Chamber at 185 East Main Street, the turtle races are a beloved tradition in this tiny Minnesota town, and are the backbone of the community’s big multi-day summer event, Turtle Fest.

The events were scaled-back and otherwise impacted by the pandemic last summer, but are coming back in full force this year, with races every Wednesday from June 2 to August 25, and Turtle Fest scheduled for June 16-20.

People can register for the races starting at 10 a.m., and the races begin at 10:30. Everyone participating gathers in the park’s center circle and, with the blow of a whistle, lets the turtles loose. The first turtle to get to the outside ring wins.

The winners race again, until the top three are decided. Turtles are provided at the races, and anyone of any age can participate. A $2 donation is requested, with all proceeds going toward future races.

The one exception to the races-onWednesdays rule happens during Turtle Fest, when there’s an extra race on a Friday. Other Turtle Fest activities include: trolley rides and a parade on Friday; 5k, 10k and half marathon runs on Saturday, along with a pancake feed and a visit from some zoo animals that day; a medallion hunt throughout the week, with a $500 prize; a craft fair with food vendors on Friday and Saturday; and more.

Perham Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dan Schroeder says the best part of Turtle Fest is that it’s all community-organized. According to him, it’s something the community puts on to say, “Thank you for doing business in Perham!”

A full schedule for Turtle Fest and other information can be found at perham.com/turtlefest/.