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Santa Rosa County’s first Bahia Grass Invitational will combine racing, fried fish, student art and water quality education.

High speed lawnmower racing, a fish fry competition and a student art show are coming to the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 3.

The inaugural Bahia Grass Invitational Lawnmower Racing and Fat Boy Fish Fry runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $20 per vehicle, with proceeds benefiting the Milton Rotary Club, Santa Rosa Kids’ House and Santa Rosa County Fair Association.

Fish plates will be available for purchase separately.

Event Schedule

Saturday, October 3
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds
8700 Randy Brown Road
East Milton, Florida

The fairgrounds are near Interstate 10 Exit 31.

The announced schedule includes:

Lawnmower racing from 9 to 11 a.m.
Fish plates available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Afternoon racing from 2 p.m. until dark
The 4 H Shape of Water Art Show throughout the event

The overall event listing gives a 5 p.m. ending, while the racing schedule says afternoon heats will continue until dark. Spectators should treat the exact final race time as subject to conditions and event day announcements.

What Is Lawnmower Racing?

Competitors use modified riding lawnmowers to race around a designated course under National Association of Lawn Mower Racing rules.

These are competition machines rather than ordinary landscaping equipment. The organizer has not published a complete racer list, heat schedule or spectator seating plan.

Guests should follow barriers and event staff instructions and should not enter the racing area.

The Fat Boy Fish Fry Contest

Invited local cooks will compete in the Fat Boy Fish Fry Contest, with the Santa Rosa County Sea Grant agent and Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program participating in the event.

Fish plates will be sold from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The plate price, menu, accepted payment methods and availability limits have not been published.

Because food is sold separately from vehicle admission, guests should bring an additional payment method and arrive before 2 p.m. if the fish fry is a priority.

Student Art and Water Quality Education

The event is designed to connect entertainment with agriculture and environmental education.

Santa Rosa County Extension personnel will share information about lawn care and how yard maintenance can affect surface water quality and fisheries.

The accompanying 4 H Shape of Water Art Show will feature student work exploring local waterways and the life they support. A special exhibit will focus on the bluenose shiner, a small fish used as an indicator of water health.

Students wishing to participate must deliver artwork by Monday, September 28, to:

Santa Rosa County Extension Office
6263 Dogwood Drive
Milton, Florida

Questions about the art show may be directed to Prudence Caskey at PrudenceC@santarosa.fl.gov.

Admission and Parking

Admission is $20 per vehicle rather than per person.

The event takes place at the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds, so parking is expected on the property. The organizer has not published a separate parking charge, advance ticket link or reservation requirement.

Food, merchandise and other purchases are not included with vehicle admission.

Why It Is Worth the Drive

The Bahia Grass Invitational brings an unusual new attraction to East Milton while supporting three Santa Rosa County organizations.

Families can watch two rounds of racing, purchase lunch, see locally created student art and learn how everyday lawn care choices connect to water quality in area creeks, bays and fisheries.

Plan to arrive before the first racing session or shortly before the fish fry begins, and check the event’s official social page for weather related changes.

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Lawnmower Racing and a Fish Fry Are Coming to East Milton