SPIRIT LAKE - Who would have thought that a joke pulled on Harley riders would have such a pleasant result?

It has transformed into one of this community's biggest events and a successful fundraiser.

The 11th annual Big Back-In lawnmower street drag races - a Father's Day tradition - will be held Sunday on Maine Street.

There will be a show and shine at 11 a.m., followed by a parade/poker run at noon and racing at 1 p.m.

The festivities, which include vendors, kids bounce castles, a beer garden, food court and merchants keeping their doors open, last until about 4 p.m.

"It's small-town fun any way you look at it," said Marc Kroetch, one of the organizers.

Spirit Lake is a popular weekend stop for Harley riders, who back in to the curbs. Hence, the name. Locals pulled a prank one time and parked lawnmowers on Maine so the Harley riders couldn't park there.

The event, which typically draws between 2,000 and 3,000, is a fundraiser for the city's parks and recreation department. This year's proceeds will be used on the city's new recreation center on the lake that's set to open over the Fourth of July weekend.

"We've donated more than $40,000 to the city's parks department," said Kroetch, adding that restrooms at City Park and baseball field improvements have been among the projects that have received funds from the event.

Thirty-six racers are expected to participate in the drags. The parade/poker run will have more than 75 entries.

"We have people coming from California and Montana, so we're becoming a regional event," Kroetch said.

The racer to beat will be Rob Tompkins, who won races in Bonners Ferry recently.

"Those Bonners Ferry boys are some of the fastest in the Northwest - undisputed," Kroetch said.