In July of 1974 a flat deck trailer hauled a 22-foot painted turtle to the town of Boissevain. It took many hands and a few machines to erect the statue at its new home on the southern side of the town.
Next month, Tommy the Turtle celebrates 50 years of welcoming visitors and residents to his community.
Resident, Ivan Strain, shares on that day when Tommy the Turtle found his legs, as well as the start to the iconic turtle races (which was already in full swing) known around the world as the Canadian Turtle Derby!
A conversation around the table at Du-Rite Motors was the beginning of brainstorming about this big green painted turtle. Leaders of the community came up with the idea of a painted turtle, and decided this was an effort worth pursuing.
"They signed a bill, a note, for $50,000," shares Strain. "They had enough faith in this to go ahead and do it. So, they contacted Mr. Barone in Winnipeg and Tommy Turtle was hatched."
The Canadian Turtle Derbies of Boissevain attracted followers from around the world, including the U.K. and Japan! In its hey-day the derby would attract some 4,000 people to the races, including Manitoba icons such as the Winnipeg Jet's Dale Hawerchuk (photo below with Ivan Strain).
Strain was not only the announcer for the turtle races, but also the voice for Tommy himself.
Sat, Jun 29, 9:00 AM
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