The history of the Lynde 500
Answering "why?" "who?" and most importantly
"where did that cool name come from!"
2001
The Brainstorm -- The event was
started with the idea that Lynden needed a fun event, not for
tourists, but for the community that harkened back to the old days
when the community would get together downtown for picnics, sports,
racing, fairs, whatever brought the community together.
Tom Entrikin and Troy Luginbill got
together to brainstorm such an event and really liked the idea of a
soap box kart event. But Lynden did not have any good hills so
it was changed over to a push kart event (reminiscent of the
Australian push kart league.) The relay was added to encourage
more people to team up and be a part of the event (along the lines of
Ski to Sea).
In October, the first unofficial
meeting was held with Troy and Tom and two other community members to
discuss the soapbox derby, to determine a mission statement, to look
at the financial considerations, and how to establish a Lynde 500
committee made up solely of volunteers.
2002
The mission statement is formed:
“
to enhance the community with a special event that promotes family &
fun, builds community bonds and establishes an event to return to
each year.”
“Imagine
teams of families, friends, fellow employees, high school sport
teams, and folks from all over the Northwest spending their weekends
diligently building, creating, and training for the Lynde’ 500
where the top prize purse is $500.00”
The name is decided to be the "Lynde 500", because it takes place in Lynden and has the first place prize of 500. There was no intention for it to resemble that other spectacular race that takes place in Indiana where race cars drive 500 miles (not at all, nope, no resemblance what-so-ever!)
2003 -- The Lynde 500 is born
“We are the Pioneers of a
potential legacy that will ultimately become one of the finest
displays of community gathering and excitement the Pacific Northwest
has ever seen. A push kart derby race through the streets of
downtown Lynden – The Lynde 500”
“In an effort to celebrate the fun
days of reckless youth, the Museum is hosting a classic race, good
old fashioned food, and a really kick’en blue grass band”
The 1st Annual Lynde 500
Push Kart Derby is held in Lynden on Labor Day and 500 spectators
enjoy the race. East Side Deli provides complimentary hot dogs (and
did so for the first 6 years and must have donated in that time over
4000 hot dogs. They fed a third of Lynden)!
Entertainment was provided by the band
Quickdraw M’Graw .
Flora was the primary sponsor of the race
followed by Dutch Mothers who would end up being the most successful Lynde team to date!
In the End Lynden Tennis team took the grand prize of 500 smackers!!!
NEXT-THE LYNDE GROWS AND COMPETITION GETS SERIOUS AND WE SEE A NEW TEAM TRY TO BE THE BEST LYNDE TEAM EVER!
so stay tuned for Lynde 2004
