Cutting-edge entertainment
The urge to turn a weekend chore into a competitive sport continues to grow in North Idaho as dozens of lawn mower racers put the finishing touches on their mowers in anticipation of the biggest race of the year – Spirit Lake’s Big Back-In. Attending the event, held on Father’s Day each year, has become tradition for many families who have caught the spirit of what has also become one of the town’s biggest events of the year.
Crowds arrive early, eager to view the mowers and contraptions of every sort that line up, or rather, back in, along Maine Street for the Mower Show and Shine at 11 a.m. First-timers are critiqued, rivalries are ignited, and old favorites are spotted as racing enthusiasts stroll up and down Maine Street scoping out the year’s competition.
One of the most interesting parades you’ll ever see follows the viewing portion of the day’s events. Many of the actual racers pull into the pit area, choosing to spend their time completing last-minute overhauls rather than taking a leisurely ride through town, but their desertion doesn’t make a dent in the lineup of well-decorated four-wheelers, tractors, golf carts, dune buggies and even bicycle surreys that follow the winding parade route through town.
Each year, local residents work to outdo each other with their parade contraptions. There have been lawn mowers built to resemble a tow truck, a camouflaged tank, an old-time ambulance, and even an airplane. Parade-goers have seen a four-wheeler built into a boat, a four-wheeler pulling a boat and even one towing a skier. Marc Kroetch’s “Mowertician,” built to resemble a turn-of-the-century hearse, is always a crowd favorite; as are the lawn mower dragsters that sport fancy flame paint jobs and flame-throwing pipes. Another perennial favorite, the “recliner mower,” pulls a trailer with a recliner and an ice chest – perfect for a Father’s Day afternoon.
Action in the pit area picks up once the parade ambles back to Maine Street, as the racers complete their last-minute tinkering. With an official start area that would make any NASCAR-sanctioned event proud, they begin to line up behind the starting line in twos, ready to power down Maine Street. Amid crowds of cheering bystanders, the mowers begin popping wheelies, blowing motors and losing a part every now and then – making for a couple of hours of nonstop fun and action.
Each year, the number of young people who participate in the event is growing, and Kroetch says he is delighted. “I think it’s great they are getting involved.” He says a few are planning on racing, while others, members of the Junior Civil Air Patrol, are going to be helping with security during the event. “They will be helping to keep bystanders off the course this year,” he said; always a problem as the eager crowds surge forward to see the racers as they leave the start line.
Throughout the years, proceeds from the event have been used to improve recreational facilities in Spirit Lake. This year’s proceeds from the race and raffle will be used to complete the new restrooms that were built at City Park last year, according to Kroetch.
The Mower Show and Shine is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., with the parade to follow at noon and racing at 1 p.m. A trophy ceremony will follow the races, with raffle prizes, a barbecue, beer garden and various marketplace vendors providing a great place to spend the rest of your Father’s Day afternoon.
Kroetch, also the coordinator for the city’s centennial year, reminds visitors not to forget to check out the city’s centennial projects. He has hopes a walking tour will be in place, complete with fliers outlining the route, and says area school kids have made replicas of historic Spirit Lake buildings that are scattered at various businesses around town. If you are interested in attending the Big Back-In or would like more information about the rules or event, check out their Web site at www.bigbackin.com, or call Marc Krotech at 623-5130.
With a full season of events, now is the time to experience the NASCAR-like thrill of waiting on the starting line for the flag and then throttling down the speedway at the breakneck speed of 20 to 30 mph. For those new to the sport, there is lots of help out there to get you started. Check out online resources for information, general rules and modification guidelines or call Krotech and the Spirit Lake racers for guidance.