Sylvester Manor’s Vegetable Derby Peels Out Again

When the zucchini are ripe and heavy, and the cucumbers full of juice, young competitive racers on Shelter Island know it’s time to find an aerodynamic vegetable, attach four wheels and let ‘er rip.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, scores of competitors and their parents came to pit their potatoes, summer squash, carrots and tomatoes against the other contestants for the coveted title of fastest vegetable at the annual Sylvester Manor Farmstand Vegetable Derby.

Sylvester Manor farmers Jake Yankee and Nick MacAskill were on hand to run the heats and keep the records. Doug Kadlec, farm handyman, explained that the track is actually a Pinewood Derby track, that was repurposed by the farm a few years back for produce on wheels.

“When I was eight years old, I helped my dad build one of these out of plywood,” said Mr. Kadlec, adding that this one was comparatively easy to set up.

Many of the children who arrived ready to participate spent time assembling their vehicles from the produce on hand. Romy McBryan, was working in eggplant and considering a tomato bumper. When Isabel and Otis Brown arrived a little before 10:30, their vegetables were ready to roll, carried by their mother and father in a large plastic box big enough to hold both vehicles (potato-based). When asked about the “garage,” Mom confessed, “This is not our first rodeo.”

As the start time approached, William Sterling was giving his zucchini a shiny coat of red paint that paired with snazzy yellow wheels to exude an aura of speed. Kiprian Needham was one of the few contestants daring to use three vegetables at once, pairing two lunchbox peppers with a shiny zucchini.

Following a parade of cars, highlighting the most creative and arresting designs, organizers began a series of semifinal and final heats leading to the selection of the coveted prize: Fastest Vegetable. A false start in the first heat was a hiccup, but the semi-final heat went on, and was won by Otis Brown and his sweet potato.

Oliver Werner won the second heat, and after five heats came the finals and a winner for the day — Dominick Palmiotto and his double-decker summer-squash called “The Yellow Submarine.” His appearance was made unforgettable when Dominick played the Beatles song as a soundtrack every time his yellow submarine raced.