A beloved Watkins Glen tradition has returned, putting crayons in little hands and racing history on the page.
The Watkins Glen Area Chamber, in partnership with Watkins Glen International (WGI), has revived the “Thunder in the Glen” coloring book and distributed it to every K–4 student in the Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, and Bradford School Districts.
Originally launched in 1998 to celebrate 50 years of local racing, the coloring book has been reimagined for a new generation. The 2025 edition features all-new illustrations by Robert Gillespie, a local motorsports artist and educator whose work captures the energy and spirit of the region’s racing heritage.
“We’re so excited to team up with Watkins Glen International to bring this coloring book to life,” said Nigar Hale, Executive Director of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber. “It’s a fun way to fuel creativity, share smiles, and help our youngest artists in the making connect with the magic of our community.”
Each student received a copy of the book along with a box of crayons. The project aims to inspire creativity while building a connection between students and the area’s unique identity.
“We love engaging kids with what we do, because they are our future fans, employees, pit crew members, and drivers,” said Dawn Burlew, President of Watkins Glen International. “We appreciate this partnership with the Chamber to bring the Thunder in the Glen coloring book back to our community.”
The Chamber and WGI called the initiative a shared commitment to arts education, youth engagement, and local heritage.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].