About a week ago I was in the car listening the radio when I heard an ad that piqued my interest. I almost thought it was a joke upon listening or that possibly my mind was playing tricks on me. Could I really have just heard correctly? Indeed I did. The 6th Annual St. Mary’s Lawnmower Races would be taking place the following weekend. At that moment I vowed to myself that I would be in attendance, my Saturday night would be devoted to having some good ole’ wholesome country fun.
During the week I was looking forward to my weekend plans and when the end of the week rolled around, and I got the obligatory (and sometimes disingenuous) “any plans for the weekend?” inquiry from co-workers, friends, and foes alike, I was loud and proud in expressing my plan to attend a lawnmower race. I received some very strange faces and heard some rather judgmental tones as they questioned why I would go to such a thing. Silly city people, so close-minded! Why wouldn’t I go to such a thing? Honestly. Why not experience something new and see what exactly the big fuss is about? I mean it’s been going on for 6 years now; clearly there must be some draw.
When Saturday arrived I excitedly hopped in my car, rolled down the windows and hooked my iPod up to the stereo – of course I needed some good tunes to pump me up for the races. On my hour drive I saw a few things that I thought were interesting but the most notable was the woman with DC tags driving a green Dodge Neon with a head full of green and orange curlers. I am all about color coordination with the car. Personally I think blue might have been a little more flattering with her skin tone but I give her an A for effort and I’m sure she looked mighty sharp wherever she was going. I also passed a big Ford F-250 truck hauling a big black and red trailer with a VPRacing sticker on one side and a MAMA sticker on the other – apparently Southern Maryland is the place to be for racing of all kinds – who knew? (Probably lots of people)
Upon my arrival at Bowles Farm I was greeted by a 50 foot tall wooden Spongebob Squarepants, (why this is at a farm I don’t know, I guess it’s a gigantic version of a scarecrow? but the kids enjoyed it). I made my way over to the racetrack just in time for everyone to pause for a moment after the National Anthem to pray for the all athletes (the drivers), that is when I realized just how serious lawnmower racing is. I took a seat for the main event and quickly spotted a true fashion icon in the making lining up to race in the 16 and under race class. What made this guy so memorable was the orange mohawk he donned on his helmet which perfectly matched the orange flames that had been so carefully painted on his green lawnmower.
Photo taken by John Douglass 2010
My second favorite was also in the same race, a zebra striped lawnmower with purple lettering. There were so many different styles and paint jobs, some better than others but each unique. I secretly wished that a hot pink lawnmower would appear before me but sadly I was disappointed. (Barbie has a dream house, a pool, and a convertible, why shouldn’t she have a pimped out lawnmower too!?).
I watched the races, unclear on the rules but entertained nonetheless. Each race starts with the mowers in a line engines off with drivers aligned directly in front of their respective mowers. Once the green flag is waved the drivers run to their lawnmower and then they’re off! Depending on the racing class it can be anywhere from 5 to 30 laps (I’m glad someone else counts that because those suckers can move!). There were a few collisions, both with other mowers and/or barrels of hay, as well as some random stop and go points that I totally didn’t understand. I looked up the rules and apparently you raise your hand if your mower stalls, no one there actually seemed to know for sure.
(Using links to his pictures because they are way better than mine...)
What made the whole thing that much more entertaining was the commentary that surrounded me in the bleachers. From the curious little aspiring lawnmower racer behind me asking his mom how “fat people” ride lawnmowers to the man sitting next to me (who apparently figured I was not from the area) who asked me if I was “with one of the drivers” – I was thoroughly entertained. The comments alone were well worth my $8 admission fee. In addition to the races there was also an antique tractor display (some of them have wheels taller than me!), pony rides, a K-9 unit demonstration, a moon bounce and a horse pull but nothing could top the bonding and camaraderie that was all made possible because 37 years ago in England someone decided they were going to invent a little sport centered around racing lawnmowers.
I left Bowles Farm satisfied with my first exposure to lawnmower racing and with a camera full of pictures – including one where I am curled up inside the wheel of a tractor (perhaps I am a country girl at heart, or not). The icing on the cake of my lovely Saturday trip was the little note that the cashier wrote on my receipt.
Thought it was cute. When I finally looked at it I realized what it was that was taking so long when I was checking out at the register, that much effort can be time consuming. I was actually in a pretty good mood from rocking out in the car though so I guess my face just looks grumpy? That wasn't the first time someone has told me to smile...I can't help it people, that's just how my face looks! Either way it did make me smile a little bit (or maybe that was happiness caused by my shorti BLT, jury is still out).Overall it was a successful Saturday indeed and I highly recommend that should you have the opportunity to check out lawnmower racing, or any other random thing that you might originally write off, that you take it and be open to a new experience. If nothing else you’re guaranteed to get a story out of it!
(P.S. After much contemplation I am now taking applications for lawnmower racer boyfriends. Please apply within, 18 and up only because as much as I liked the mohawk I like my freedom just a little bit more.)
No comments:
Post a Comment