Fun At My Neighborhood Tractor Race [PHOTOS]

Its a day that my whole neighborhood looks forward to...Race Day!

Tractor Race Day, that is!

The whole thing started many years ago as a spur-of-the-moment idea of something fun for the kids.

Over the years, the race has grown to encompass kids of all ages...

...tractors of all sizes...

...and water balloons and "Super Soakers" are encouraged!

As more and more racing teams arrive...anticipation grows!

And, suddenly we hear the words we've been waiting for all year...

"Start your engines!"

Trust me...the roar of lawn tractor engines is deafening!

By the way, that's why a "thumbs up" signal is used to make sure that all racers are ready...with all that lawn-cutting horsepower, you can no longer hear any race instructions!

And, suddenly, the race is on!

Now, the racer's job is to follow all the twists and turns of the course...

...always jockeying for a better position...

...while your team mates "soak" the competition! Remember the water balloons and the super soakers? They add to the fun and frolic of this annual neighborhood event!

And while, once again, I did not win...(I won 2 years ago)...I placed respectably. Nowhere near the back of the pack, thank you!

Congratulations to Paul, who takes home the coveted Tractor Race Trophy for 2013!

And now, we turn our sights to next Memorial Day Weekend, when once again we will meet for the pre-race party...race for 5 minutes...and then party into the night.

Its the social event of the year in my neighborhood!