Now in its 32nd year, the Great American Crab Races at Clark Lake attracted participants from all over. A highly enthusiastic sell-out crowd gathered around the specially designed crab race table at the Beach Bar, Thursday through Saturday (7/20-22). See how the competition rose to a fever pitch in this video of the final game.
This fundraiser generates donations to the Clark Lake Spirit Trail, Napoleon Lions Club, Napoleon Athletic Boosters, and Columbia Schools programs. Because of its success, each of those entities will receive at least $2000, perhaps more.
The Big Winners
First prize – Flip Reynolds
Second prize – Darek Dowing
Third prize – Lisa Holcomb
Flip’s wife tells an interesting backstory about his win. He arrived at the race with his son and granddaughter from Arizona, also his stepdaughter, Chris. Both Flip and Chris advanced to the semi-finals and finals. Then in the finals, amidst family, and the rest of the table, Flip emerged champion. No report yet on what happened in the after-race celebration.
Sponsors contributed prizes that heightened enthusiasm as contestants cheered for their crab to reach the white circle first. Judi Kelly of Doyle’s Market made sure everyone at the final game went home with a prize pack.
M-R Builder was title sponsor from the very first crab race 32 years ago. A quick word from Mike McKay.
Below, check out other Crab Race sponsors.
Check out the fun in this slide show.
The Great American Crab Races enjoys community support from these 2023 sponsors.
M-R Builder, Inc.
B&B Hardware/Subway
Beach Bar & Restaurant
Country Market
Boater’s Choice
A Plus Electric
Aggie’s Sports Bar
Bendele Construction
Big Boy
Boater’s Choice
Boyers Tool & Die
Brooklyn Kiwanis
Columbia/Napoleon Schools
Doyle’s Market
Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill
Eineder Funeral Home
FiveOneSeven Salon/Spa
Fox & Boley Well Drilling, Inc.
Hills’ Heart of the Lakes Golf Course
Klavon’s
Krupa’s Boat Mart
Lead Bunker
Lucero’s Mexican Bar & Grill
Matthew L. Logan, DDS
Mid-America Machining
Modern Waste Systems-LRS
Monroe Dodge Superstore
Napoleon Lawn & Leisure
Napoleon Lions Club
Oh These Irish Hills!
Old Irish Mill
Quality Glass
R. W. Mercer Company
Raft-O-Rama
Schiels Shovels
State Farm Insurance-Dale Robert
Stoyanna’s
Sweet Caroline’s
The Exponent
TransPharm Preclinical Solutions
Vermeulen Furniture
Village Creamery
Walton Insurance Group
Wilcox Lawn and Landscaping
Wilbee Transit Mix Co.
Dan O. another awesome job with the racing
Thank You to all the sponsors volunteers and participants with out you the Crab Races would not have been possible for 32 years and raising $350,000 for Columbia Shools sports and robotics. Napoleon Schools athletes, Napoleon Lions and the Clark Lake Spirit Trail
THANK YOU
Congratulations to the committee on all the hard work it took to put this event together and to all the crab racers. And the sponsors for each day and each race. You made it an awesome 3 days!
Thanks for the great story, Rick!
I have to admit that this was the biggest, craziest, loudest, ( “funnest” hah!) three nights and Saturday kids day in my 32 years. I’m tired and also a little more deaf for being there. Thanks to the many many volunteers stationed all over the Beach Bar including their staff and John, Mary and Lexy. And thanks to all our sponsors and the “crab trainers.” It was a sell out!
Linda