RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - Kids, adults and zucchinis came together at the Rio Linda Library on Aug. 9 for the 10th annual Zucchini Races, a free event hosted by Rio Linda Grange No. 403, building racers out of locally grown zucchinis and competing for prizes.

A classic car show greeted spectators in the parking lot of the library, including a small tractor from the Rio Linda Elverta Historical Society, food trucks and a line of caution tape to signify the track’s boundaries, which measured races distances up to approximately 150 feet from the starting point of the track. 

Rio Linda Grange No. 403 President Susan Hanks said that the event has continually grown from 10 attendees at the Grange Hall to the hundreds who turned out for this year’s race. The event’s growth has prompted organizers to increase the venue space multiple times over the years, from the farmer’s market at Depot Park to the Rio Linda Library at 6724 6th St. 

“To see so many kids and adults just unplugging, mentally, for a little while and having some fun because we’re missing that in our world right now,” Hanks said. 

With temperatures in the mid-70s at 9 a.m. when the event started, Hanks said that a benefit of moving the races to the library was the large shade trees. She said the event was scheduled to end by 1 p.m. to beat the heat and the Grange was able to provide free water, thanks to its 15-plus sponsors and supporters. 

Hanks said that some zucchinis were as big as 18 inches or more, weighing several pounds but “that’s not always an advantage.” The annual event is a lesson in gravity, engineering and honesty, Hanks said, adding that cheaters are rewarded but with elimination. Hanks said pushing racers is not allowed and doing so typically leads to the racer tipping over. 

Participants had the opportunity to build their racers weeks in advance at home or on the day of the event with the Grange’s Build-a-Racer tables, which opened at 9 a.m. Participants were judged on their designs and their performance as they launched their racers from atop the traditional Zucchini Race downhill ramp. 

Some racers featured taxidermy, action figures, toy cars, deconstructed rollerblades and zip ties to help their creation travel as far as possible. The ramp stood about five feet tall and more than 12 feet long, propelling racers through the parking lot if their racer’s construction allowed it. 

According to the official rules posted on the Rio Linda Zucchini Races Facebook page, racers could not be longer than 14 inches, taller than 12 inches or wider than 12 inches. The two divisions, under and more than 18-years-old, eventually went head-to-head for the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) Race. 

Two tables separated the adult and kid-built racers, displaying each racer’s creation in their respective divisions for the event’s judges. A table of trophies awaited each winner near the finish line with the largest trophy, sponsored by Tummy’s Sub Shop, going to the winner of the Greatest Of All Time Race.

Racing the Zoomin’ Zucchini, 10-year-old Rio Linda resident Sarai King said that it would be cute if her racer planted itself. Built out of a deconstructed car, Sarai’s racer featured two axles pierced through the sides of the gourd with a total of four wheels. Her racer had an aluminum foil hat, googly eyes and sharpie drawn arms, holding on as it barreled down the track, winning her first place in her first heat of races. 

Accompanied by her grandmother and grandfather, Dawn and Boston Kearns of Rio Linda, Sarai said this was her first Zucchini Race event. She built her racer out of her grandmother’s craft supplies and the Dollar Store items. 

Sarai said she ran her racer during the trial period, which took place from 9 to 10 a.m., giving her an opportunity to see how it would perform against the competition.

“I didn’t think I’d go that fast but apparently, all the rest of them stayed up somehow,” Sarai said. 

Sarai was “a little nervous” about her second heat of races and said she had to super glue some components. 

“Hot glue does not work on zucchinis,” Sarai said. 

Hanks said it was great to have representatives from local government or district offices, such as Josh Gumacal from Congressman Ami Bera’s office and others in attendance.

“To have them here and give support to Rio Linda because, let’s face it, we get the butt-end of the stick a lot,” Hanks said. “And to actually have them here and show that they care about us is huge.” 

Hanks said she can’t thank the members of the Rio Linda Grange No. 403 enough because they gave up multiple Saturdays to help prepare for the event. They planted the zucchinis in May and they had helped set up the Aug. 9 event since about 4 or 5 a.m.

LeeAnn Williams, the Renewal Soaps owner, was one of the 25 vendors at the races and she helped organize all the vendors to support the Grange. 

Williams said that there were vendors selling crocheted items, jewelry, scented products, tamales, canning and more.

One featured vendor was Creekhouse Farms, selling its recently-approved USDA grade pork.

Paul Hanks, Susan Hanks’ husband, announced for the Zucchini Races and said, “what better way to get your community together than playing with your food.” Thanks to numerous sponsors such as The Grotto, who sponsored Lane No.1, Paul Hanks said, the event was free for the community.

Jason Green, Grange member and Rio Linda Elverta Historical Society president, was in attendance wearing a blue vest, as were other Grange members, to signify their affiliation with the organization and inform spectators. Grange members facilitated the sign-in process, distribution of free water, judging, builder’s table, announcing, racetrack, race proctors, parking and more. 

“From the early beginnings at the Grange Hall, we’ve come a long way,” Green said. 

To learn more about the Zucchini Races, how to be a sponsor or learn more about the Rio Linda Grange No. 403, visit castategrange.org/rio-linda-grange-403, email [email protected] or message the Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/RioLindaGrange. The Rio Linda Grange No. 403 is at 1315 G St., Rio Linda.