Mow Down is May 7 at fairgrounds

The CarQuest Spring Mow Down will be held on Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m.

The spring lawnmower race is an annual event held as a fundraiser for the Alleghany Agricultural Fair Committee. Tickets are $5 for adults, children eight and under get in free. Walt Green, Alleghany Mower Racing Association event coordinator, said about 120 mowers will be competing in 14 classes. The stock flathead class, with about 25 mowers competing for the top position, is the most-entered class of the race.

A new powder-puff division has also been formed, which will be open to women only. “We had a lot of interest from women who wanted to start getting involved in the sport,” said Green. “That’s the reason we added that class.”

Green said mower racing is continuing to grow in the area and even the region, which is leading to increased media attention. “We had a journalist from Carolina Living who came to our last race in Wilkes County to do a feature story on the sport,” Green said. “The attention is good for us, but it is also good our community.”

Green said inclement weather can be a major factor for outdoor events like mower racing. “The weather hurt our attendance in Wilkes County on April 23,” Green said. “Looking at the long-range forecast, we’re hopeful for better weather here on Saturday.”

Future races are also planned in the area, including one on June 18 for the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department at the Alleghany Fairgrounds, followed by a fundraiser for the Galax Volunteer Fire Department at Felts Park in Galax on July 9.

“We’re looking forward to a great season,” Green said.

Alleghany Chevrolet is the official sponsor of all AMRA events, said Green.

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