Virginia City Outhouse Races off and running, Oct. 4-5
Come watch the Plungerettes, crazy outhouses compete for prizes, bragging rights
The 2008 Championship Outhouse Parade & Races in Virginia City are set for Oct. 4-5 this year. The first day, the Outhouse parade is at noon and racing begins at 1 p.m., with races every half -hour until all racers are finished. On Sunday, the finals at are noon, with the awards presented at 3:30 p.m.
On Saturday there will be a special “Ladies’ Race” with such participants as the Ol’ Tyme Saloon’s Plungerettes and local group the Red Hat Ladies.
Co-organizer Milly Batchelor said the origins of the event can be traced to the fall of 1990 when Storey County wanted to ban outhouses. "People put their outhouses on wheels and brought them to the county offices," she said. "Now, surprise. It's an annual event.
"Virginia City has become a place where tradition isn't forgotten. Whether it's something fun - like today, or more serious occasions, like Veteran's Day. We're the town that's not going to let tradition die, and I think people can appreciate that."
For more information, call 775-772-7462.
On Saturday there will be a special “Ladies’ Race” with such participants as the Ol’ Tyme Saloon’s Plungerettes and local group the Red Hat Ladies.
Co-organizer Milly Batchelor said the origins of the event can be traced to the fall of 1990 when Storey County wanted to ban outhouses. "People put their outhouses on wheels and brought them to the county offices," she said. "Now, surprise. It's an annual event.
"Virginia City has become a place where tradition isn't forgotten. Whether it's something fun - like today, or more serious occasions, like Veteran's Day. We're the town that's not going to let tradition die, and I think people can appreciate that."
For more information, call 775-772-7462.
Official Rules and Entry Form
<b>Specifications</b>Outhouses must meet the following specifications:
1. Minimum weight: 200 pounds (without driver).
2. Minimum height: 6 feet from the ground to the highest point on the main body of the outhouse (chimneys, flags, signs etc. don’t count).
3. Minimum size: 9 square feet of floor.
4. Outhouses must be completely enclosed with an operating door (curtain closure OK).
5. Contain a toilet seat, roll of toilet paper and be able, if required, to be a functional outhouse.
6. Outhouses may have any number or type of wheels and types of devices for crew members to grasp while propelling the outhouse.
7. Steering and brakes are optional.
8. Outhouses may be built of any material.
9. Outhouses may not have a motor; they must be pushed, or pulled by hand, by two crew members.
10. Outhouses may have logo, company or personal names painted on sides, top, or on inside, but NOT required, although each outhouse should have a catchy name.
<b>Crew </b>
A crew shall consist of three members, two pushers, driver/rider, and/or two alternates (optional); all pre-registered, and all of whom should be of basic humanoid ancestry (No dogs or other animals that can’t make a reasonable choice may ride in, or pull/push, the outhouse).
<b>Racing Format </b>
Racing begins on Saturday after the parade. Two outhouses race at a time in double elimination, every half-hour beginning at 1 p.m., until all outhouses have raced.
Finals begin Sunday at noon and race until all semi-winners have raced, followed by awards ceremony.
<b>Race Rules </b>
1. All Outhouses, pushers/pullers and riders (teams) including alternates, must be checked in no later than 9 a.m. on Saturday (no one younger than14 yrs. old).
2. Outhouse racing teams will consist of two pushers and a driver/rider.
3. Outhouses must be pushed or pulled by human power only. NO motors, sails, dog teams or gas-assisted propulsion is allowed.
4. Outhouses must be kept in the designated area while not racing.
5. At the starting line no portion of the outhouse may extend over the line. It will be the judge’s determination as to a re-start.
6. Outhouse teams must maintain control/contact with their outhouse at all times during the race.
7. Outhouses must remain in their designated lane during the entire race. IF an out house crosses into a competitor’s lane and, in the opinion of the judges, interferes with that outhouse’s ability to race, the offending outhouse will be disqualified for that heat.
8. The fist outhouse to reach the finish line (with any part of the outhouse) will be determined the winner by the judges.
9. In case of a tie, or photo finish, the race will be re-run if determined by the judges.
10. The decisions of the judges are final.
<b>Entry fees and deadlines: </b>
1. Entry fee is $100 for each outhouse entered.
2. Teams may enter as many outhouses as they desire.
NOTE: The entry fee is used to cover event expenses, awards, entertainment, insurance and supplies. All funds remaining after expenses (if any) will go to the Virginia City Chamber of Commerce.
3. Deadline: The entry deadline is Saturday, Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. at the Bucket of Blood Parking lot. Pre-registration is recommended.
(All outhouses must be in place between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.)
4. Teams may register in advance by mailing fees to:
Milly Batchelor, Outhouse Race Organizer, P.O. Box 464, Virginia City, NV 89440. Teams may also e-mail mbatchdoo@netscape.net (subject-outhouse races) for any questions about the race, or forms. Make checks payable to:
VC Chamber of Commerce.
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