CLEARLAKE – Ladies and gentlemen, start your worms!

And with that, live worms of all sizes will race to be become sole champion of the 42nd annual Worm Races during the Independence Day Festivities at Austin Park in Clearlake, to be held Saturday, July 4, following the parade.

Why a worm race? Clear Lake is known as being the “Bass Capital of the West” so worms go pole and hook with bass. Plus it is just plain fun for kids and kids at heart.

Last year more than 300 racers participated in the worm races. This year event organizers are expecting a larger turnout.

Bring your own worm if you wish or rent one from the famed stables of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s winners in the four age categories – 0 to 5 yrs.; 6 to 10 yrs.; 11 to 17 yrs., 18 yrs. and over – will vie for cash prizes and trophies.

Fun facts about worms: worms do not have eyes but are sensitive to light; more than an hour's worth of exposure to direct light will paralyze a worm; worms have five hearts; worms breathe through their skin; worms can regenerate their tails but cannot grow new heads; the longest earthworm ever recorded was found in South Africa and measured 22 feet long.

For more information about the worm races call the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, 707-994-3600.