The competitors line up for the start of the Mini-Modified finals last Saturday night. They are (front row, from left) Jason Kelly, Steven Cassell, (second row) Jason Gunnels, Jeff Moxley, (third row) Tommy Alley and Lee Choate. Kelly went on to win the class.

About 1,800 spectators turn out to watch mowers race Saturday

The Alleghany County Agricultural Fair came to a conclusion last Saturday night with the running of the second annual Fall CarQuest "Mow-Down" Lawnmower Race at the Justice Carlisle Higgins Fairgrounds.

An estimated crowd of about 1,600 to 1,800 spectators turned out for the event despite some rainfall and the threat of more. The race was originally scheduled for Aug. 31, but had to be postponed due to inclement weather.

"I think it was one of the best ones we've had," commented fair volunteer Gerald Leftwich. "Everything went smooth and we beat the rain." Soon after the race ended, the rain started coming down heavily.

"The personnel working the track knew what to do....We had Sparta Fire Department and volunteers from Glade Creek and Cherry Lane. The Alleghany County Rescue Squad was there in full force, ready to go in case they were needed. BCB had the water truck up there that we didn't need.

"I appreciate all these people volunteering their time....Nobody got hurt and we'll be back next spring."

There were seven different divisions of competition at the event.

In the photo at left, Roger Choate gets ready to lap Bryan Maines during the Modified race last Saturday night. Choate went on to finish first in the Modified division, while Maines came in second.

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