Rev up your lawnmowers! Father's Day race is June 15

By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

The Grand Island Lawnmower Race is revving up for another Father’s Day event.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 15, and tune up your engine for a day that includes mower races, a car / bike / truck show, a 5K walk / run, food for purchase – and general family fun.

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

The official name for the event is the Mary Dunbar-Daluisio Memorial Lawnmower Race, named after the longtime chair of Grand Island’s Relay For Life, who died in 2017.

Proceeds from the Lawnmower Race go to support the Relay, which takes place from 1-9 p.m. this Saturday, May 17, at the Town Commons.

The Father’s Day 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.

The race was founded as a small neighborhood contest by longtime Islander and Realtor Floyd Doring. But the event has grown to include lots more participants and activities and is a major Relay fundraiser.

Doring originated the lawnmower race in the summer of 1978.

“I was cutting my grass and I finished cutting it. And a guy by the name of Pat Murphy lived next-door to me. And Pat was cutting his grass and he stopped and he said, ‘My grass cutter is faster than yours,’ ” Doring recalled. “And I said, ‘Do you want to race?’ And he says, ‘Let’s do it.’

“So, we went out in the street. There was nobody there. And we just raced and we went up to Sunset (Drive) and back and we had the first lawnmower race.”

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

Mary Ehde, left, and Verna Wohlfiel pose with a vintage vehicle from the car / bike / truck show at a recent Father’s Day Lawnmower Race. (Submitted)

Race organizer Mary Ehde stands between Dale Berger, left, and Mike Ziehm who were in friendly competition in a previous Father’s Day Lawnmower Race. (Submitted)

••••••••

Moose Lodge member Mary Ehde got involved in the race about 15 years ago, urged on by Doring. He’s also the reason she has stayed involved.

“Floyd’s going to be 91, and we’re still going at it, just for him. He’s still raring to go,” she said.

This year, Doring will be driving around on a golf cart, supervising things, instead of racing on a lawnmower.

“Last year was the biggest showing we’ve had, I think, in forever,” Ehde said. She noted there were more lawnmower entries and as many as 44 cars displayed in the car / bike / truck show.

The Kids Lawnmower Race starts at noon, and mowers are provided. All participants in that race get a prize. There also are lots of grab bags this year, waiting for participants. Last year, the youth event drew about 25 kids, from age 1 to 12, Ehde said.

Doring’s friend, Gary Roesch, has explained that the lawnmower race categories include everything from stock lawnmowers to ones that will do 70 mph in 300 feet.

“There’s five classes, and we have specifications for each class,” he said. “The organizers can classify the participants as they show up.”

Other events and features:

•The Kevin Doring Memorial Walk/Run: Registration, 9 a.m.; cost: $10; start time: 10 a.m. The event is named for the late son of Floyd and his wife, Chie, a noted artist and Grand Island Citizen of the Year who passed away in 2024.

•Lawnmower Race: Registration, 9 a.m.; cost: $10; driver’s meeting, 10:30 a.m.; testing mowers, 11 a.m.; race, noon. Awards after the races.

•Car / bike / truck show: Registration: 9 a.m.; cost, $10 per car; exhibited; show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

•Food: Hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages available 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Doring said being involved in the event has meant a lot to him over the years.

“I’ve so appreciated that we picked the right people to do the job, and I hope it continues on for years and years,” he said.