CHAMPIONS CROWNED … The Golden Girls beam with pride after taking home the first-place prize.
BLIND LUCK … Teams face a tricky challenge at the Hicksville Bank, transferring Monopoly money while battling the wind and a ticking clock.
PHOTOS BY BIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
A RACE TO REMEMBER … All five teams gather for a final group photo.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Edgerton’s streets came alive with laughter, strategy, and a dash of chaos as five spirited teams, made up of families, friends, and neighbors, gathered for the town’s first-ever Amazing Race.
With names as quirky and bold as their personalities, each group arrived ready to compete, collaborate, and conquer a series of wild and whimsical challenges.
From gourmet hot dogs to costumed canines, the evening promised more than just a race; it was a celebration of community, creativity, and good old-fashioned fun.
Sponsored by Mainstreet Edgerton, the Amazing Race gave residents the chance to team up and compete while also highlighting local businesses. The event continued its mission to promote community involvement and recognize those who do so.
Jeff Lyon explained the motivation behind the event. “MainStreet Edgerton is always looking for ways to make Edgerton a fun place to live and a place where community means more than just the area where you live.
The Amazing Race: Edgerton Edition is an opportunity for friends and family to have a great time and create lasting memories for the future.”
Lyon held a brief team meeting at 5:00 p.m., explaining the rules to all teams. Each team designated a picture taker who would be responsible for taking pictures at each of the nine stops and posting them to the designated Facebook page.
The team that made it back first, or made the most stops by 7:00 p.m., would be crowned the winner of the first Edgerton Amazing Race.
Lyon explained that each team would be starting at a different location, identified by the envelope he would hand them at the start.
Observing the competitive feel in the air, Lyon assured the teams they would not be able to cheat, as he knew the route for each set of envelopes.
With 20 minutes to go before the start, teams broke off to strategize and fuel up with gourmet hot dogs, provided by Smashdawgz. They could also kick-start their race with some ice cream from Pink Penguin Premium Ice Cream.
At 5:25 p.m., Lyon called the teams back together to hand out the envelopes. Each team received its envelope and raced off. Cars, trucks, and a few golf carts peeled out of the town park, well on their way to the first stop.
At the Buckeye Veterinary clinic, teams were greeted by the staff and two furry guests, Kylie and Lacy. The teams were split into two groups. One half tackled a dog agility course, and the other worked to get their four-legged friend into a costume of their choice.
The Hicksville Bank put the team’s money management skills to the test. Teams were required to transfer Monopoly money with a spatula while blindfolded and wearing oven mitts, which proved quite difficult on the breezy afternoon. They may still be finding Monopoly money on the streets of Edgerton for weeks to come.
Homeplate Kitchen Ministries and Catering offered contestants a rather unconventional treat. Teams had to make and eat a peculiar sandwich featuring pickles and peanut butter.
At the library, teams were able to showcase their mastery of direction in a book-locating challenge, which caused a lot more ruckus than the library is used to.
Floral Designs encouraged teams to get into the holiday spirit as they raced to decorate a Christmas tree with rolls of toilet paper.
As the teams raced through the streets, many other stops were visited, like Krills Funeral Service, Maag’s Floors and More, Park View Care Center, Total Accounting Xperts, and Big C Lumber. Spectators could keep up with the race as teams posted pictures from each stop on the Facebook page.
If racing wasn’t your thing, Mainstreet still had plenty to keep you busy while waiting for the racers to return. Food trucks and yard games like cornhole and Connect Four kept everyone full and entertained. Music, provided by John Reichle and Jenn Shook, had everyone singing along.
Two bikes, donated by McMahon’s Best-One Tire and Auto Care, flanked the Mainstreet Edgerton table, encouraging all the little ones to drop their name in the box and cross their fingers to be the lucky winner of one. The winners were drawn later that evening: Kyndal Hazelton and Trevor Damron. A gun raffle was also available for purchase.
As the clock clicked closer to 7:00 p.m., onlookers could see the first team sprinting in to claim their prize. The Golden Girls, in their signature wigs and tennis shoes, took the top spot, followed closely by Three Amigos.
Third place went to Maple Lane Chicks and a County Chickadee. The In-Laws and the Outlaws came in fourth place. Coming in last, but still smiling wide, was the Reidt Squad.
The top three teams all received medals and bragging rights as the first Amazing Race: Edgerton Edition champions.