Photo Slideshow: Pumpkin Races, Chili Cook-Off Draw Big Crowds

By all accounts, the Oswegoland Optimist Club's second annual Pumpkin Races Saturday afternoon downtown was a smashing success.

Hundreds of kids and adults made their way to the event highlighted by the creativity of the racers and the public smashing of cheater pumpkins to the chants of "Smash it, smash it, smash it." Oswego Police officers handled that duty with about half a dozen pumpkins destroyed before spectators

In all, about 50 racers enter the contest with first through third place tropies handed out in three categories: ages 10 and under, ages 11-17 and business entries.

The first place winner in the 10 and under was Keira Gillihan, Jake Blocker took second and Brian Dinar took thrid. In the 11-17 group Amanda Dinar took first, Austin Nakaerts took second and Ben, Joey and Johnny Leverich took third. 

The business had Skully's Family Fun Center taking first, Leads Group 1 in second and in third.

This year's race also partnered with annual Chili Cookoff. About 20 contestants vied for bragging rights with A-All Temps Ray Emmick taking the top honor.