Celebrating a hard-fought victory. Star Journal photo.

Kids bring competitive spirit to annual Rhinelander District Library Worm Race

By Eileen Persike

Editor

RHINELANDER – There is much thought that goes into preparing for the Rhinelander District Library’s annual worm race. Broden and Casen Kohnhorst and a group of friends designed shirts for the event. The Kohnhorsts were the Cheesy Tacos.

Selecting the right worm for the competition is not something to be taken lightly. After studying the worms presented to them, the brothers finally chose Nacho, the worm that was moving around the most.

Thirty teams of two raced worms on the library lawn this afternoon. The race format is the same as it has been for a couple of decades. The worm coaches hold the worms above a yellow coffee can lid and at the count of three, release them onto the lid. Once the first worm leaves the confines of the lid, the race moderators begin timing; the first worm to touch the outer black circle, or the worm that is the closest to the circle after two minutes is declared the winner.

Nacho was not having the best day; maybe the pre-race moving around was too much. Maybe it was the crowd noise. Regardless, Nacho did not make it to that outer circle.

Several heats took place and then it’s time for the final match of the day.

In the end the sister team of Emma and Luna Fochs cheered Kintin on to win the 2023 contest, and the Silver Worm trophy.

The annual worm race was held Wednesday, July 19.

Caroline and Penelope look on as their worm refuses to leave the side of the yellow lid. The first worm to reach the outer circle is declared the winner.

Luna Fochs holds Kintin before the first heat of the worm race. In the end Luna and her sister Emma, left, took home the coveted Silver Worm trophy.