It’s a tradition as Minnesotan as Paul Bunyan. Every Wednesday during the summer Nisswa turtles stretch their legs and help attract locals and tourists downtown in the heart of the shopping center.

The turtles are placed in buckets in the center of the track before each heat. Picking a speedy turtle is something of a science. Do you want to pick a smaller lightweight rookie, or a bigger more experienced racer?

Exactly 600 racers took part in today’s turtle races. Racers came from Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas, California and Canadian. And as the races continue to grow sales in downtown Nisswa speed up.

By — Lakeland PBS

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