GI lawnmower race organizers seeking participants
May 15—Organizers of an annual Father's Day event that has been a tradition on Grand Island for decades are putting out a call for more car enthusiasts and lawnmower racers this year.
The Mary Dunbar-Daluisio Memorial Lawnmower Race will take place on June 16 on West River Shore Parkway.
Organizers are hoping to draw more participants and spectators this year as they do what they've done in past years — raise money to support cancer research and awareness in honor of two people who helped turn the lawnmower race into an annual Grand Island favorite.
"We're looking for people to bring their cars or race their lawnmowers," said Mary Ehde, one of the event's organizers. "We want people to either come and enjoy the races or participate in them."
The actual event dates back 50 years to a time when West River Shore Parkway resident Floyd Doring joined a few of his friends in testing the limits and the speed of their household lawnmowers.
"He and a bunch of his neighbors were drinking beer and saying, 'My lawnmower is faster than yours,' and they started racing lawnmowers," Ehde said.
Twenty-five years later, Mary Dunbar, whom the race is now named after, suggested the racers start raising some money for a good cause. They chose cancer research. Proceeds raised during this year's event will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
Ehde said Dunbar developed cancer about 10 years later. She said she lost her battle with the disease four years ago, prompting those who knew her through the racing event to name it in her honor.
Doring, now 90 and still working as a local real estate agent with 57 years of service under his belt, had a similar unfortunate experience with cancer in his family. His son, Kevin, lost his battle with brain cancer 12 years ago. Each year, as part of the lawnmower races, there is a memorial walk in Kevin's honor.
The Father's Day event is not all about adults having fun trying to outpace one another on their favorite pieces of lawn equipment.
There's a free bubble mower race for children as part of the event as well.
The Father's Day event also features a car show, which drew 44 car enthusiasts last year, according to Ehde who said anyone with a classic or show car is invited to attend the 2024 festivities.
Individuals who are interested in showing off a car or racing a lawnmower or who have children who want to get involved in the bubble mower race can do so simply by showing up on the day of the event. It's the same for spectators, Ehde said.
