Other stories in "Festivals"

• Dancing on the Yellow Medicine
  In history-filled river valley, wacipi celebrates Dakota culture.
• A summer's worth of celebrations
  Here are the best of the fests in 2008.
• Nordic nirvana
  Every July, Decorah puts on one of the best fests in the Midwest.
• A feast of festivals
  At small-town shindigs, get your fill of strawberries and sauerkraut, kolacky and sweet corn.
• Home of the eelpout
  In February, a Minnesota fishing town lets loose.
• A summer's worth of celebrations
  Here are the best of the fests in 2008.
• Jolly Cedarburg
  In southeastern Wisconsin, a historic village has perfected the art of the party.
• Cruising to a lighthouse
  In summer, boats give visitors a chance to see historic beacons.
• Waking the dragon
  A sport inspired by ancient Chinese legend is taking off on local waters.
• Celebrating roots
  No matter where you're from, there's a summer festival for you.
• Everyone loves a parade
  When a town marches, its entire history unrolls before your eyes.
• Cozying up to the Cornish
  A fall festival honors the miners who left their mark on Mineral Point.
• Big Apples
  In Bayfield, a fall festival grows to jumbo proportions.
• Agate stampede
  Every year, Moose Lake introduces budding rockhounds to the thrill of the hunt.
• Polish for a day
  At Milwaukee's lakefront festivals, visitors get a big helping of another culture.
• Tulip Time in Pella
  In central Iowa, the Dutch celebrate colorful origins.
• Owl aboard
  In southeast Minnesota, a livewire named Alice is the star of a late-winter festival.

Critter races

In Minnesota resort towns, creatures great and small run for the money.

In June, racing season moves into full throttle in resort towns around Minnesota.

Speeding turtles begin their weekly sprints in Nisswa and Longville. In Perham, the "International'' Turtle Races — the town says they've attracted competitors and spectators from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East — begin the week after Memorial Day.

Pelican Rapids holds weekly minnow races. In Cuyuna, ticks race only once a season, but it's a serious event: Veterinarians check for steroid use before the competition.

Goats, dachshunds and boxelder bugs step up to the starting line in Jasper, Luverne and Minneota. In Wayzata, dachshunds run the hurdles.

Prizes are awarded, but mostly, the four-legged hot rods win bragging rights for their owners. It's not NASCAR, but competition is fierce.

Wednesdays through Aug. 27, International Turtle Races in Perham, Minn. This west-central town is known for turkeys and, in summer, tourists from the many lake resorts in Otter Tail County. Races begin downtown at 10:30 a.m.; visitors can borrow a turtle or bring their own. Turtle Fest is June 18-22. 800-634-6112.

Wednesdays through Aug. 20, Turtle Races in Nisswa, Minn. Races in this village, the heart of the Brainerd Lakes, begin at 2 p.m. Cost to rent a turtle is $3 and prizes are awarded. 800-950-9610. For more, see Speed demons of Nisswa.

Wednesdays through Aug. 20, Turtle Races in Longville, Minn. In this town on the shore of Girl Lake, just south of big Leech Lake, games and contests start at 1 p.m., and the races at 1:45 p.m. There's fair food, too. Turtle Town Art Fair is June 28. 800-756-7583.

Tuesdays through Aug. 26, Minnow Races in Pelican Rapids, Minn. This Otter Tail County town, not far from Perham, holds its free races in EL Peterson Park, starting at 10:30 a.m. 218-863-1221.

June 14, Tick Races in Cuyuna, Minn. They're at the Woodtick Inn, two miles north of Crosby on County Road 31, between Brainerd and Mille Lacs. The inn holds a jockey meeting at noon, and races begin at 1 p.m. Purchase your racing steed or bring your own. Veterinarians will check personal ticks for steroid use on site. 218-546-5313.

July 10, Wiener Dog Races during Hot Dog Night in Luverne, Minn. This town in the far southwestern corner of Minnesota holds its races on Main Street at 7 p.m.  The top dog gets a trophy. 888-283-4061.

Aug. 8-10, Goat Races in Jasper, Minn. This southwestern Minnesota town, between Pipestone and Luverne, will hold its races at 1 p.m. Saturday during an all-school reunion and festival that also includes a tractor pull, quarry tours and a 7:30 p.m. Saturday parade. Bring your own goat. 507-348-3701.

Sept. 5-7, Boxelder bug races during Boxelder Bug Days in Minneota, Minn. In this southwestern Minnesota town, near Marshall, races are held during a festival that also features a pedal tractor pull, street dance, carnival and parade.

Sept. 6-7, Dachshund Races during James J. Hill Days in Wayzata, Minn. In this western suburb of Minneapolis, dogs compete in the hurdles, sprints and sofa jump, followed by a costume contest and smart pet tricks. Races start at 1 p.m. Saturday at Wayzata West Middle School. 952-473-9595.

Last updated on June 16, 2008