Perham Turtle Races

Fun-filled family event every Wednesday in June-July-August!

Registration starts at 10am – races start at 10:30am Perham, the home of International Turtle Races since 1979, has an exciting carnival atmosphere, with face painting, snacks, trolley rides, and a variety of vendors!

Join us for a chance to be a race champion! Champions will take home a bag full of goodies from local businesses, commemorative ribbon and bragging rights!

Painted Turtles are collected from area ponds, rivers and other bodies of water and are marked based on the location they came from to ensure they return to their home at the end of the summer.

During each summer, turtles are cared for by trained and knowledgeable volunteers. Their summer home is large and imitates their natural habitat. With shaded pools for swimming, rocks and logs for basking in the sun and live minnows to hunt as well as other veterinarian approved turtle food.

Due to concerns for fairness of races and safety of our racers and the other turtles, only Painted Turtle species will be allowed to race. We will have turtles available at each race, but racers are welcome to bring their own, as long as they are Painted Turtles.