PORT HADLOCK — The Hadlock Days lawn mower races, which achieved national ranking in 2011, are taking the year off because the event’s organizational arm has dissolved — but the rest of the July festival is still scheduled.
“There is no longer a Hadlock Days association, so this year, we are moving forward as a group of organizations and businesses to get everything done,” said Dana Petrick, who is acting as point person for the event.
“And since there was no one taking charge, it was up to us to step in and pick up the pieces.”
Sandy Hummell, whose husband, Lloyd Crouse, organized the lawn mower races, said that when the association went defunct, there was a lack of funds.
“We made the decision to not do it this year but hope we can get organized to do it next year,” Hummell said of the lawn mower races.
With the collapse of funding, the two major expenses — insurance and sanitation — could not be subsidized, she said.
The races, which took place on a track renovated by Crouse at his own expense, attracted between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators and 150 racers in 2011, Hummell said.
But at least part of the show will go on, and Hadlock Days, in its 24th year, will take place July 14-15 using a more informal organizing structure.
“It will go on the way that it used to be,” said Valley Tavern proprietor Chuck Russell.
“It was always a nice event before the lawn mower races,” he added.
“It was a nice little small town happening, and it will go back to that.”
Russell enjoyed the lawn mower races and expressed admiration for Crouse.
“It wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Lloyd,” Russell said.
Petrick said each organization is taking on responsibility for a specific function.
So far, the Chimacum School District is sponsoring the Kiddie Carnival, while Rotary Club members and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce will run the Kivley Center vendor fair.
Petrick said she’d like to see people come forward with their memories of past Hadlock Days and attempt to recreate what made those events special.
“People remember Hadlock Days from years ago, how much fun it was to come out for a weekend with their families and feel that small-town connection,” she said.
“It goes back to a time where we could have a lot of fun in our own backyard, to when there was less of a dependence on technology for entertainment.”
Hummell thinks the lawn mower races will pick up again next year but can’t say where they would be held.
Crouse rebuilt the track for the 2011 event at the Hadlock Days location at Ness’ Corner Road and D Street, but future races could be held elsewhere, she said.
The race went national in 2009, becoming part of the American Racing Mower Association — or ARMA — circuit, which elevated the status of the Port Hadlock event to “point” status, making it part of a nationwide series of races that led up to a national championship.
Hummell thinks that any momentum lost by this year’s cancellation can be regained.
“This can work,” Hummell said.
“ARMA was using our race as a central hub for all the northwestern states and Canada so we can bring this back.”
Hummell, Petrick and Russell declined to provide details on the collapse of the Hadlock Days organization.
“This could be a really fantastic weekend with the lawn mower races, and it will be again if the entire community can get behind it,” Hummell said.
Petrick is optimistic about this year’s event.
“We are moving ahead,” she said.
“This will be great if we can get enough people to participate.”
To volunteer, phone Petrick at 360-437-2060 or email danapointe@olypen.com.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
