Tricycles abounded at New Iberia City Park Saturday morning as organizers put on the Acadiana 500 Tricycle Race for the second year in a row.

Six teams sponsored by local businesses and public figures were on site at the tricycle race, including many who competed last year to revivify the Acadiana 500 in New Iberia.

“It was brought back last year, and we had been working the previous two years to get it back,” Ben Lilley said. “We’re hoping to grow and make it like it was in the ‘80s.”

The height of the Acadiana 500 four decades ago is hard to underestimate. What seemed like a fun activity to raise funds quickly turned into an event that drew attention. As organizer and Acadiana 500 founder Ray Escuriex has said, New Iberia was once the tricycle racing capital of the country.

After seeing the Indianapolis 500 compete years ago, Escuriex named the Acadiana 500 in honor of the races and the Optimist Club worked to create custom tricycles that adults could use for the relay style competition.

Those participating Saturday raced through several heats between each of the six teams. Each team member would ride to a certain distance and then drop off the tricycle to the next team member until eventually reaching the finish line in the relay race.

The Acadiana 500 has already attracted a base of enthusiastic supporters, who were all ready to compete as the races took place throughout the day.

“We really appreciate everyone who has supported it and helped to make it grow,” Lilley said.

Tricycle Race

1st Justice Riders (sponsored by Bo Duhe, 16th JDC)

2nd Team Bowser (sponsored by Metal Shark Boats)

3rd Team Petal Pushers (sponsored by Aggreko)

Costume Contest

1st Team Mario (sponsored by Metal Shark)

2nd Team Bowser (sponsored by Metal Shark)

3rd Let’s Get Physical (sponsored by Ricky Gonsoulin)

100-Yard Dash (Adults)

1st Lane Howard

2nd Austin Sun Chee Fore

3rd Brad Nauin

100-Yard Dash (Teenagers)

1st Henry Landry

2nd Dominick Lee