By Jim Newell

Review Editor

It’s always a roaring good time at the Lake Orion Lions Club Lion Races and on March 30 the lions will once again prowl the lanes, helping raise funds to support the club’s scholarship program.

The Lions Club’s 5th annual Night at the Races is at the Knights of Columbus hall, 1400 Orion Road, in Orion Twp. Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. and the races beginning at 7 p.m.

“All proceeds from the races go to support the scholarships,” said Lions Club member Jim Pettinato, chair of this year’s races. “We support young people because they’re going to be ruling the world.”

The Lions Club has awarded scholarships to two Lake Orion High School seniors for 12 years. Beginning in 2013, the scholarship winners were granted a continuing annual scholarship for four years of college, provided they remained in school and were making successful progress toward a degree.

There is also two spots remaining for a business or organization that wants to purchase, decorate and enter a lion in the race. Lions are $150 the first year and $100 to enter in subsequent years.

“We race wooden lions that are decorated by the organizations that purchase them. There are six at a time. The first one to the end wins,” Pettinato said.

The fundraiser is open to the public and tickets are $35 per person in advance or $40 at the door, and include dinner, beer and wine. There is a cash bar for liquor purchases.

Tickets are available through the Lions Club website, www.lakeorionlions.org, under the events tab.

Race-goers do not have to have a lion in the races to attend and enjoy the activities, which include door prizes and an hourly 50/50 raffle. Only 100 tickets will be sold for each raffle, $5 per ticket, with three winners each.

“People come and have a ball,” Pettinato said, adding that the club hopes to have around 200 people attend the races. “We guarantee them having a good time.”

The first year of the races was in 2015 and with a turnout of more than 230 people, raised more than $5,000.

For more race information call Pettinato at 248-568-3461 or email jamespettinato@att.net.