Holtville Hosts Fifth Annual Memorial Tortoise Race, Drawing Enthusiastic Crowd
The 2026 Wanda Layton Memorial Tortoise Race took place in Holtville, attracting a crowd of participants and spectators to Holt Park. The event featured fifteen tortoises racing on a miniature track, with Shelby, a 16-year-old desert tortoise, emerging as the winner. The race was part of Holtville's Easter in the Park celebration, which included a costume contest won by a tortoise named Dr. Seuss, dressed in a 'dinosaur construction site' costume. Organizer Julie Velasco dedicated the race to her late mother, continuing a tradition that began with her family's love for turtles. The event drew a sizable crowd, with attendees cheering for their favorite tortoises and enjoying the festive atmosphere. 
