Craig Daily Press

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Brittni Kawcak hands Dalton Virdin a turtle to show the audience Saturday during the turtle races at the 90th Annual Moffat County Fair. Turtles were presented to the crowd before each race so they could be bid on.

More than 100 spectators packed inside the livestock barn at the Moffat County Fairgrounds.

The dim lighting in the room gave an eerie vibe to the setting, almost like an underground fighting ring found in a bad action movie.

Shadowy figures in black hats yelled out dollar amounts, as young cowboys circled around a 20-foot squared mat, holding small animals in their hands.

Older cowboys in the back corner peered from under their brims, eyes focused on the action in the center circle of the barn.

And as the plastic cylindrical cage was removed from the mat exposing the creatures inside, it began.

Slowly.

The stereotypes are true — turtles like to go at their own pace.

The Moffat County Fair en­­tertained tortoise lovers from Craig and the surrounding area Saturday during the seventh annual turtle races.

The brainchild of Dan Kaw­cak has gained somewhat of a cult following each year, as residents bid on their favorite turtle and watch the races unfold.

“We’ve been doing this for five or six years now,” Kawcak said. “It was one of those crazy ideas that I came up with at about 3 in the morning and it caught on like wildfire.”

Kawcak usually picks up his turtles — or more specifically, young tortoises — in Kansas, but this year, because of what he called a turtle drought, Kawcak brought in some from Salt Lake City.

“Usually, we get the fast ones from Kansas,” Kawcak said. “This year, we had to get some from a different spot, and I don’t think they are as fast.”

Fast turtles?

“Well, as fast as a turtle can be, I guess,” he replied.

Despite the speed of the races, the fans in attendance cheered as if it was the Indy 500.

Four members of the Red Hat Society sat in the bleachers cheering louder than most as their turtle — complete with a number 10 attached by Velcro to its shell — slowly plodded toward the finish line.

It wasn’t much of a race considering No. 10’s four competitors didn’t move, but that didn’t stop the ladies from cheering.

“We may seem a little crazy,” Barbara Nielson said. “But, we’re spending money here, and we want to win.”

The foursome of Nielson, Sharon Steele, Jaci Mock and Joan Snyder, erupted in celebration when No. 10 crossed the finish line as the victor.

“We’ve been friends for like 100 years,” Steele said laughing. “We’ve been coming out to this since it started. “

“It’s a lot of fun,” Mock added, “and a great way to spend time with friends.”

When the bidding resumed for the next race, the amount reached an afternoon high of $550.

Prize money is awarded to the two top finishers of each race in a 60-40 split.

But, Kawcak said most winners donate their earnings to the 4-H Foundation.

“We used to keep 30 percent (of the prize money) and donate it,” he said. “But, because of gambling laws, we have to give 100 percent of it back. But now what happens is whomever wins just donates it. It all works out for a good cause.”

Eleven-year-old Rebecca Langstaff was in attendance, eyes glued to the action, cheering on the race’s competitors.

But she wasn’t there for the money.

The first-time turtle race viewer had a much simpler take on the event.

“I just like turtles,” she said. “I’m cheering cause they’re cute.”

Cute, maybe, but definitely not fast.

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793 or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com