Who does Pine River Turtle Race benefit?
All proceeds from the Pine River Turtle Race will help the St Clair Rotary Club give back to the local community by providing scholarships, flu shots for seniors, park improvements, literacy projects and in many other ways.
How does it work?
Everyone who adopts a turtle, will receive an adoption paper (raffle ticket) with a number. Each turtle will be tagged with a number. The first three turtles to float down the river and into the collection trap are the winners!
How do my turtles get in the water?
On race day, all adopted and tagged turtles will be placed into a large tarp, hoisted over the Pine River and released simultaneously in one big splash!
What is my tag number?
A few days prior to Pine River Turtle Race volunteers will place numbered tags on the bottom of every turtle that will be in the turtle race. The tags are waterproof labels which will correspond to each adoption paper (raffle ticket). Tag numbers are automatically and randomly assigned by computer. We want to make sure that no turtle has an unfair advantage and the race is not fixed, so to ensure the integrity of the race, tag numbers are never given out. Rest assured, however, that all the turtles you have adopted will be in the water.
What if you have 1,000 adopted turtles but you have 2,000 tagged turtles on race day?
If all our turtles have not been adopted by race day, it means that a lucky adopter can still adopt up to an hour prior to the race. Their names will be placed at random into the mix, next to a number that does not already have a name by it. Anyone can adopt until an hour before the race begins, as long as the race is not sold out.
When and where is Pine River Turtle Race and what does it cost?
The Race will be held on August 29, 2021 at the Rotary Centennial Park on Clinton Street in St. Clair, Michigan. Please see the main page for prices to adopt turtles.
How will I know if my turtle wins?
The St Clair Rotary Club will contact you using the information you provided with your turtle adoption. You do not need to be present to win.
Are they real turtles or rubber turtles?
Rubber turtles, silly!
Who can adopt a turtle?
Anyone, who is at least 18 years old may adopt a turtle.
Once I adopt a turtle, do I get to keep it?
Unfortunately, after our race, all of the racing turtles will swim off to their next race somewhere in the U.S. However, there are smaller versions of the race turtles that may be purchased.
Do I need to be present to win?
No, the winner does not need to be present to win. We do hope you will join us for the festivities though!
Can I adopt turtles on race day?
If all our 2,000 turtles have not been adopted as of August 28, 2021, the remaining turtles will be available for adoption on race day until one hour prior to the start of the race at an adoption booth set up during the Pine River Turtle Race.
How do I contact someone at the Pine River Turtle Race if I have questions that are not answered here?
Please contact us by emailing patrick@yellowemerald.com