Get your motors runnin': Lawnmower race set for Sunday

By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

The checkered flag won’t be the only banner waving this Sunday for the Mary Dunbar-Daluisio Memorial Lawnmower Race.

The American flag is central to this year’s lawnmower race that takes place on Flag Day. The red, white and blue not only commemorates the annual holiday, but also the 250^th anniversary of this nation.

Plenty of action

The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3957 West River Parkway, on the median, closest to Long Road.

There’s a range of categories for the lawnmowers, from stock mowers to ones that will do 70 mph in 300 feet.

In addition to the mower races, the day includes the Kevin Doring Memorial 5K Walk/Run; a golf cart race; a kids’ mower race (mowers provided); a car/bike/truck show; games; and food for purchase.

Proceeds from the Lawnmower Race go to support Grand Island’s Relay For Life, which took place June 6 at the Town Commons.

Flag theme prevails

The opening ceremony will feature the American Legion Post 1346 Color Guard, followed by a lineup of events featuring people racing on foot and on all manner of vehicles – lawnmowers, golf carts – and even a bubble lawnmower race for the kids

The Lawnmower Race, a longtime Father’s Day tradition, was switched to Flag Day this year so as not to conflict with the now-canceled “Thunder of Niagara” air show.

Moose Lodge 180 member Mary Ehde said the Flag Day theme will be a part of the entire Lawnmower event. A raffle will be held to win a 66-by-82-inch quilt depicting a flag, donated by the River Lea Quilters Guild.

Other free events include a photo booth, face painting and axe-throwing.

“Everything we do (to decorate) in the food area will be based on the flag – including the goodie bags,” Ehde said.

Longtime participant Gary Roesch said plans include having two Scout troops involved in the day’s events. He said that, with the Flag Day theme and the nation’s 250th anniversary, there’s a role for the Scouts in helping to respectfully retire old or worn-out flags.

History of the event

The lawnmower event is named after Mary Dunbar-Daluisio, longtime Relay chair, who died in 2017.

Current Relay For Life co-chair Lynn Marston Dingey pointed out this year marks the 25^th anniversary of Grand Island’s Relay For Life.

The Lawnmower Race is a Grand Island tradition that began nearly 50 years ago with a boast between two West River Parkway residents over whose lawnmower was the fastest.

In the summer of 1978, longtime Islander and Realtor Floyd Doring issued a small neighborhood challenge to his friend, Pat Murphy. The two men went out to West River Parkway, where there was no traffic and no audience. They gave it their best.

Doring still claims he won that race, and his friends say he is still the inspiration for the fun event and fundraiser that attracts more and more people each year.

Doring plans to ride a golf cart this year.

Lawnmower Race founder Floyd Doring, foreground, rides in a golf cart at the 2025 event.

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Sunday, June 14, Lawnmower Race schedule

•8 a.m.: Set up

•9-11 a.m.: Registration ($10 for everyone)

•11:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony, American Legion Post 1346 Color Guard

•Noon: Kids’ lawnmower bubble races

•12:45-1:15 p.m.: Track closed for testing

•1:30 –3 p.m. Lawnmower racing ; golf cart exhibition

•2 p.m.: 50/50 drawing.

•2:30 p.m.: All drawings finished

•3 p.m.: Quilt and door prizes awarded

•4 p.m.: Trophy presentation

•4:30 p.m.: Takedown