Deep in the heart of northeastern Indiana lies a small town with a big story. Churubusco, a quiet community of just over 1,800 residents, celebrates one of the most unusual legends in American folklore.
Every June, thousands of visitors descend upon this charming town for Turtle Days. The festival is dedicated to Oscar, a legendary giant snapping turtle that supposedly lurked in a local lake decades ago.
The tale began in 1949 when farmer Gale Harris reported sightings of a massive turtle in Fulk Lake. This sparked a media frenzy that put Churubusco on the map.
Though Oscar was never captured, the legend lives on through this beloved annual festival. What started as a quirky local story has transformed into a vibrant celebration of community spirit.
Turtle Days includes turtle races, carnival rides, pageants, and food vendors. Families return year after year to enjoy the festivities.
Churubusco proudly embraces its unusual claim to fame. The town has even earned the nickname Turtletown, USA.
From the iconic concrete statue greeting visitors to the thrilling turtle races that have delighted crowds since 1968, Turtle Days offers a unique slice of Americana. You simply cannot find this experience anywhere else.
The Legend of Oscar: A Dining Table-Sized Turtle That Started It All
Stories of a massive turtle living in Fulk Lake first emerged in 1898. It wasn’t until the late 1940s that the legend truly captured public imagination.
Farmer Gale Harris and his wife spotted what they described as an enormous snapping turtle in their seven-acre lake. They estimated the creature to be roughly the size of a dining room table.
Witnesses claimed Oscar weighed around 500 pounds, making him one of the largest freshwater turtles ever reported in North America.
The sightings sparked intense curiosity throughout the region. Harris became convinced the prehistoric-looking beast was real and began documenting every encounter.
Local residents debated whether such a creature could actually exist. Some believed wholeheartedly, while others dismissed it as exaggeration or misidentification.
What made Oscar particularly fascinating was the consistency of the descriptions. Multiple witnesses over different time periods reported similar details about the turtle’s enormous size and distinctive appearance.
The creature became known affectionately as the “Beast of Busco,” a nickname that combined the mysterious nature of the sightings with Churubusco’s local abbreviation.
Today, Oscar represents more than just a cryptozoological curiosity. The legend embodies the spirit of small-town America, where extraordinary stories can emerge from ordinary places.
Whether Oscar truly existed or not, his legacy has given Churubusco a unique identity. Residents wear it with pride.
The festival celebrates this remarkable tale by keeping Oscar’s memory alive through decorations, merchandise, and storytelling. Visitors can learn about the original sightings and decide for themselves whether the Beast of Busco was fact or fiction.
Either way, Oscar has become an enduring symbol of mystery and community pride. He continues to draw people to Churubusco decades after the original sightings.
A Media Sensation: When Life Magazine Came to Town
March 1949 transformed Churubusco from a sleepy farming community into the center of national attention virtually overnight. Word spread quickly about Gale Harris’s determination to capture the giant turtle.
Reporters from major publications descended upon the town. Life Magazine sent photographers and journalists to document the hunt for Oscar.
Wire services picked up the story, broadcasting it to newspapers across the country. People became fascinated by this real-life monster hunt happening in rural Indiana.
The Associated Press and United Press International ran daily updates. The search became a serialized adventure that kept readers coming back for more.
The attention brought unprecedented chaos to the quiet town. Thousands of curious tourists flocked to Fulk Lake, eager to catch a glimpse of Oscar.
Roads became clogged with vehicles, and the small community struggled to accommodate the massive influx of visitors. Eventually, the situation required intervention from the Indiana State Police.
Officers were dispatched to manage traffic and maintain order. What began as a local curiosity had evolved into a full-blown spectacle that overwhelmed the town’s limited resources.
The media frenzy lasted for weeks, cementing Oscar’s place in American pop culture. Newspapers ran cartoons and humorous editorials, while radio programs discussed the story.
People across the nation followed the updates with genuine interest. This extraordinary moment demonstrated how a simple local legend could capture the imagination of an entire country.
Churubusco continues to celebrate this legacy through Turtle Days more than seven decades later.
Extreme Capture Attempts: Draining an Entire Lake for One Turtle
Gale Harris wasn’t content with simply spotting Oscar. He wanted to prove the turtle’s existence once and for all.
His determination bordered on obsession. Harris undertook increasingly elaborate and expensive capture attempts.
He believed that bringing Oscar to the surface would vindicate his claims. He also hoped it would silence skeptics who doubted his story.
First, Harris hired professional deep-sea divers equipped with specialized gear. They explored the murky depths of Fulk Lake, navigating through vegetation and sediment.
Despite their expertise, Oscar remained elusive. The turtle seemed to vanish whenever humans came too close.
Undeterred by failure, Harris escalated his efforts. He made the audacious decision to drain the entire seven-acre lake using heavy-duty industrial pumps.
The task required significant financial investment and physical labor. Day after day, the pumps ran continuously, slowly lowering the water level.
The draining process attracted even more spectators. Crowds gathered along the shoreline, hoping to witness the moment Oscar would be revealed.
Unfortunately for Harris, Oscar was never found. Some speculated the turtle had escaped through an underground passage.
Others suggested Oscar had been a figment of the imagination. The failed capture attempt became part of the legend itself.
It added to the mystery and intrigue surrounding Oscar. It also provided rich material for the annual Turtle Days celebration.
Turtletown, USA: A Legend That Defines a Community
Few towns embrace their unusual history like Churubusco has embraced the legend of Oscar. The community has officially adopted the nickname “Turtletown, USA,” making the giant turtle an integral part of its identity.
This isn’t just a marketing gimmick. It represents genuine pride in a story that makes Churubusco stand out from other small Midwestern towns.
Visitors entering Churubusco are greeted by a twelve-foot concrete statue of Oscar. The sculpture stands at the entrance to the town’s community park.
The statue captures the imagined appearance of the legendary turtle. Its imposing size gives visitors a sense of what witnesses claimed to have seen in Fulk Lake decades ago.
The statue has become a popular photo opportunity. Families pose with Oscar, children climb on the structure, and tourists make special trips just to see it.
It serves as both a tribute to the legend and a welcoming symbol. Visitors immediately understand they’ve arrived somewhere special.
Beyond the statue, turtle imagery appears throughout Churubusco. Local businesses incorporate turtle themes into their signage and branding.
Street signs feature turtle graphics. The town’s official materials proudly display the Turtletown nickname.
This consistent embrace of the legend creates a cohesive community identity. Residents share ownership of this unique heritage and pass stories down through generations.
The legend gives Churubusco something distinctive to rally around. It fosters civic pride and attracts visitors who might otherwise never discover this charming Indiana town.
Oscar has become more than just a story. He is a symbol of what makes Churubusco special and worth celebrating year after year.
Signature Turtle Races: A Beloved Tradition Since 1968
Among all the attractions at Turtle Days, none capture the spirit of the festival quite like the famous turtle races. This tradition began in 1968 and has remained a core event that draws participants and spectators from throughout the region.
The races invite direct participation. Anyone with a turtle can enter their shelled companion in competition.
Participants usually bring small box turtles or other common species. They place the turtles in the center of a circular track.
When the race begins, the first turtle to cross the outer boundary wins. The unpredictable format creates hilarious moments as some turtles race forward while others stubbornly refuse to move or wander in wrong directions.
Children especially love the turtle races. Many spend weeks before the festival searching for the perfect racing turtle.
Families make traditions of participating together. Some enter the same turtle year after year.
Winners receive ribbons and bragging rights. The real reward is the shared laughter and excitement that fills the racing area.
Beyond the races, Turtle Days features other long-standing traditions. The Miss Turtle Days pageant showcases local talent and crowns a festival queen who serves as an ambassador for the event.
“Oscar’s Junk Food Alley” offers classic carnival fare. Visitors enjoy funnel cakes, corn dogs, cotton candy, and lemonade.
These traditions have remained remarkably consistent over the decades. Adults who attended Turtle Days as children now bring their own kids, experiencing nostalgia while creating new memories.
The combination of quirky entertainment, delicious food, and community atmosphere makes Turtle Days a genuinely special event. It honors its legendary namesake while bringing people together in celebration.
2026 Festival Schedule: Continuing the Tradition in Mid-June
Planning your visit to Turtle Days requires knowing when the festival takes place. For 2026, the celebration occurs in mid-June, typically spanning several days of activities and entertainment.
The timing takes advantage of pleasant early summer weather. School is out, and vacation season is in full swing.
One of the festival’s signature events is the annual Turtle Days 5K. It is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026.
The road race starts at Churubusco Junior-Senior High School. Runners wind through the scenic streets of the community.
Participants include competitive athletes and casual joggers. Everyone enjoys the festive atmosphere.
Beyond the 5K, the festival offers a packed schedule of activities across multiple days. Carnival rides operate throughout the event, from gentle children’s attractions to thrilling rides for teens and adults.
Live entertainment features local bands and performers on outdoor stages. Music and laughter fill the festival grounds.
The central hub is located at 605 John Krieger Drive. This location provides space for vendor booths, food stands, and attractions.
Attendees consistently praise the festival. Visitor reviews give it an impressive 4.8-star rating for its family-friendly atmosphere and unique entertainment options.
Many families plan their entire summer around Turtle Days. Some rent accommodations for the entire week to fully immerse themselves in the celebration.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a longtime attendee, the 2026 festival promises the same charm and fun. Turtle Days remains a beloved Indiana tradition for over five decades.
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