Today on the 4th of July my parents took me to the small town of Velva North Dakota for their 4th of July celebration. I was excited to go because I wanted to see for the first-time turtles race. Before the races I got to pet and hold some baby turtles and a big adult turtle.

I met Izzy, she’s 14 from Minot and this was her first time at a turtle race. She got her turtle from one of her mom’s coworkers who found it running across the road. Her turtle’s name was Bubbles. She invited me to be on her team and watch the races up close.

Then we met Naveah who as 15 years old, from the city of Velva and this was her 3rd year racing turtles. This year her turtle won first place in it’s race and she got a prize for having such a fast turtle. She gave us advice of how to find turtles for next race. Naveah said to find them from the river and on hot days wandering the country roads.

They do this every year at the Velva park and I would recommend that you go next year. After the races we went to the petting zoo and I got to pet ducks, chickens, rabbits, goats, alpacas and a pig. I am planning on going turtle hunting next year before the race to hopefully find a turtle that will want to race for me.