Grand Island's Lawnmower Race set for Flag Day

Fri, Apr 3rd 2026 07:05 am

By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

Bring out the red, white and blue.

There’s a new patriotic theme for the annual Mary Dunbar-Daluisio Memorial Lawnmower Race. That’s because it’s being held on Flag Day – Sunday, June 14.

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

When the air show recently was canceled, race organizers kept the new date anyway, because plans already had gone full-throttle.

The day’s events

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. 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 takes place from 3-10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the Town Commons, 1959 Whitehaven Road.

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

Lynn Marston Dingey pointed out that this year marks the 25^th anniversary of Grand Island’s Relay For Life. Dingey, who co-chairs the Relay with Kim Kalman and Wendy Napier, is on the organizing committee for the lawnmower race, as well.

Committee member Mary Ehde of the Moose Lodge said Grand Island’s veterans organizations will provide a color guard and conduct the opening ceremony.

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.

“The thought is to have the Boy Scouts take old flags – and we can start the program now. Anybody who has any old flags, save them for this event, and also, the Scouts can sell new flags,” Roesch said.

He suggested the Scouts could conduct an online search, find a supplier, and take orders for new flags.

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

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History of the lawnmower competition

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 1978, longtime Islander and Realtor Floyd Doring issued a small neighborhood challenge.

“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 the fun event and fundraiser that attracts more and more people each year.

Doring plans to ride a golf cart this year.

Members of the organizing committee for the Mary Dunbar-Daluisio Memorial Lawnmower Race are, from left, Lynn Marston Dingey, Mary Ehde, Al Mathews and Gary Roesch. (Photo by Karen Carr Keefe)

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Special features

Ehde said the Flag Day theme will be a part of the entire event.

•A raffle will be held to win a 66-by-82-inch quilt depicting a flag, donated by the River Lea Quilters Guild.

•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.

The event schedule

•Lawnmower Race: registration: 9 a.m.; drivers’ meeting: 10:30 a.m.; test runs: 11 a.m.; race, including the kids’ mower race: noon. Awards after the races.

•Kevin Doring Memorial 5K Walk/Run: Registration: 9 a.m.; start: 10 a.m.

•Car/bike/truck show: registration, 9 a.m.; show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

•Refreshments: hot dogs, hamburgers, beverages: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Upcoming Relay fundraiser

•“Bowling & Baskets For Relay”: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, Mallwitz’s Island Lanes, 1887 Whitehaven Road. Three hours of cosmic bowling, pizza and pop. Proceeds to benefit Relay For Life Grand Island. $25 per person; 12 and under, $20 per person.

Relay For Life of Grand Island

Theme: “Superheroes United to Fight” – come dressed as your favorite hero.

Where & when: 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6, Town Commons

Contact: www.relayforlife.org/grandislandNY or 1-800-227-2345

Events:

•Survivor celebration, 2:30-8 p.m.

•Kid zone, 3-8 p.m.

•Vendors and basket raffle, 3-8 p.m.

•Food, 3-8 p.m.

•Survivor ceremony, 3 p.m.

•Music by Rusty Nickel, 4 p.m.

•Costume contest lap, 5:30 p.m.