And they're off, slowly, in many directions

Turtle Derby raises funds for Lions Club project

By SARAH LEHR

slehr@vindy.com

LOWELLVILLE

They say that slow and steady wins the race. That proved true at Monday’s Turtle Derby, sponsored by the Youngstown Lions Club and hosted in conjunction with the Lowellville “Cruisin’ the River” Car Cruise.

The annual derby, in its 54th year, raises money for the Saving Sights Fund, which provides eye care for needy children and adults in the Youngstown area.

Derby patrons can pay to sponsor a turtle, which gives them naming rights. The turtle competitors Monday sported names such as Shellshocked, Barbie and Josephine.

The turtles took off from the starting line at the sound of a trumpet. Ten turtles raced at a time.

The turtles showed varying degrees of skill. Some excelled. Some failed to move at all.

Brooklyn Evans, 7, said she liked it when the turtles started going in the wrong direction. “It’s funny when they get turned around,” she said.

In response to a question about the turtles’ training regimens, derby chairman Bill Ruggles only laughed. “There’s no rigorous training,” he said.

Nonethless, Butch Rocco, who helps manage the car cruise, said competitors and spectators take the derby seriously. “It’s like the Kentucky Derby, but with turtles,” Rocco said. “I mean, it’s real.”

The Lions Club also hosted a silent auction and provided carnival games. The event typically raises about $30,000, Ruggles said.