Children of all ages whipped around one tight corner after another, pausing only when those particularly enthusiastic drivers whipped their go-kart around a little too fast and an employee had to run onto the track and set them back on the right path.
But the laughter and enthusiasm — and consistently full lines — proved the Logan County Sheriff’s Office’s first free event of the summer on Wednesday was a success.
According to Sarah Blair, LCSO community relations and communications officer, they deliberately chose a middle-of-the-week day in order to focus the fun on local residents and keep the turnout relatively low.
“We have so many people visit from out of the county on the weekends and wanted something available just for the community,” Blair said. “(The kids) have been able to play more than wait in line, which is exactly what we wanted today.”
Besides go-kart rides on three tracks, the four-hour LCSO Go-Kart Day at the Indian Lake Sports Park (Lakeview Fast Track Go-Karts and Putt-putt), also included putt-putt, and a quick lunch of hot dogs, chips and cookies plus plenty of bottled water.
In addition to interacting with the LCSO officers and their K9 Thor, attendees had the opportunity to meet with employees of Indian Lake EMS, Lakeview Fire Department, Jackson Center Police Department and Shelby County’s canine unit.
The entire event was free to the public thanks to a United Way of Logan County grant, which was gifted to the LCSO to go to community outreach.
Other upcoming free LCSO community events include a back-to-school bowling party at TP Lanes in Bellefontaine on Saturday, Aug. 13; the Belle Center Cruise-in on Sept. 17; and a fall fest at Marmon Valley Farm on Oct. 9.
For more information, follow the LCSO Facebook page for updates.