Outhouse Races Where Winning is a Crapshoot!

There are still people around who remember the outhouse days and there are maybe a few outhouses left. Out in the country where no plumbing exists the outhouse was (or is) the go-to place outdoors when you have to "go" to the bathroom. Outhouses often are made of wood, shaped like a small house, maybe have a window for light, and the centerpiece of the house is the throne, a seat where you can sit. It, too, may be made of wood or similar material. The outhouse races are fun events in which competitors make decorated, non-functional stand-alone bathrooms that are built with wheels and steering mechanisms. Motors aren't generally permitted so a team pushes each outhouse to the finish line.

This has been a Fair Oaks Fiesta tradition for years!. Do you think you have what it takes to win?
Apply as a team of 4 people to build the fastest, sturdiest, most creative Toilet Bowl Push Cart!
To win, you must race against other teams to see who will have the fastest lap time around a course of obstacles.
"Let's have some old fashion fun!"

TWAIN HARTE:  6th Annual Royal Flush Crapper Derby June 7, 2025, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Twainharterotary.com

1. Minimum Weight : 200 pounds — Without Driver —
2. Minimum Height : 6 feet from the ground to the highest point on the main body
- Does not include Chimneys, Flags, Signs, etc. -
3. Minimum Size: 9 Square Feet
4. Outhouse must be completely enclosed with an operating door - Curtain Closure OK -
5. Outhouse must contain a toilet seat, roll of toilet paper and be a functional outhouse
6. Steering and Brakes are optional
7. Outhouses may be built of any material
8. Outhouses may NOT have a motor - must be pushed or pulled by hand, by two crew
members -
9. Outhouses may have a logo, company or personal names anywhere, but is not required
10.Each outhouse should have a catchy name
ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINES
1. Entry Fee used to be $50 (not sure what it is now) for each Outhouse entered (Includes One race shirt).
2. Teams may enter as many Outhouses as they desire.
3. Entry Deadline is Sat. morning by 8:00 am.
4. First Come, First Numbered and Best Positions in Pit.
5. ONLY 36 spaces available in the pits.
SCHEDULE
7am Sign-In at Twain Harte Rotary Park, CA. The PIT and Staging Area are adjacent to
Rotary Park. All Team Members MUST sign the waiver to compete.
7am—8am All inspections will take place.
9:30am Begin lining up for parade.
10:00am Parade begins
10:30am Races begin - All Outhouses MUST be in the PIT before the races begin.
OVERNIGHT
Outhouses may be left in the PIT area overnight. We would like to request that ALL Outhouses be left
in the PIT area but, as you know, unless someone spends the night there, they are not watched. The
Sheriff patrols more often, and if you wish to stay with your outhouse, you may. One person only and
NO kids.
AWARDS
1. The public will be voting for their favorite Outhouse with a People’s Choice Ticket.
2. Awards will be given for 1st through 3rd place. First Place Winner will receive paid entry to the
World Outhouse Finals in Virginia City in October.
3. The Awards Ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the race at Rotary Park.
4. No Outhouses may be removed from the PIT until after the ceremonies. This time is estimated to be
whenever people are sober enough to leave (no, this doesn’t mean you can sleep in your outhouse).
CREW
A Crew shall consist of three members:
1. Driver/Rider
2. Pusher/Alternate
3. Pusher/Alternate
All of whom shall be of basic humanoid ancestry and over age 16 (with parent permission). No dogs or
other animals that can not make a reasonable choice may ride in or push the outhouse.
FORMAT
Races begins on Saturday at 10:30 am. Two outhouses race at a time in a 2 race guarantee, double
elimination format. Races begin every fifteen minutes until all outhouses have raced. If time does not
allow for all needed elimination rounds, the race winner will be determined by the fastest time. Races
will run until 4:00pm or when completed.
RACE RULES
1. All Outhouses and Crew must be checked in and in the staging area by the ball field by
8:00am on Saturday.
2. All Outhouses must participate in the parade beginning at 10:00 am.
3. Outhouse racing teams will consist of 1 Driver/Rider and 2 Pushers.
4. Outhouses must be pushed or pulled by human power only.
5. Outhouses must be kept in designated area while not racing.
6. At starting line, no portion of Outhouse may extend over the line. It will be the Judge’s
determination as to a restart.
7. Outhouse teams must maintain control of their outhouse at all times during the race.
8. Outhouses must remain in their designated lane during the entire race. If an outhouse crosses into a
competitor’s lane and, in the opinion of the judges, interferes with that Outhouse’s ability to race, the

FAIR OAKS: Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce Famous Toilet Bowl Racer Challenge May 5, 2019, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Location: Fair Oaks Village Park, 7997 California Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
This has been a Fair Oaks Fiesta tradition for many years, do you think you have what it takes to Win this event? Well get off the Pot and get your Racer going.

Most of the event consists of racing around plastic pylons up and down the street. The event is timed from start to finish with the fastest time being the winner. There are challenges and obstacles on the course to maneuver around, under, or? Awards are given to Bracket aged groups, best team dressed, fastest team and who knows what else

The Rules
Each team MUST consist of 3 team members, two will be pushing the racer and one will be sitting on the toilet
Toilet racer MUST be a real porcelain toilet
No motorized racers of any type allowed
All drivers under the age of 18 are required to wear the following protective gear: Helmet, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads and shoes
Please no profanity written or used by team members on their racing machines as there will many families viewing this event. Toilet Bowl racers be on display by 11am near the Fair Oaks Community Clubhouse for all spectators to view before the challenge begins.

offending Outhouse will be disqualified from that heat.
9. The first Outhouse to reach the finish line - with any part of the outhouse (The part must be intact
with the main Outhouse) - WINS! - Determined by the Judges.
10.In case of a tie or photo finish, the race will be re-run - Determined by the Judges—
 

World Championship in Virginia City, Nevada October

visitvirginiacitynv.com
Annual World Championship Outhouse Races take place in the National Trust for Historic Preservation "Distinctive Destination". Virginia City's buildings are testament to the wealth that once existed from mining during the gold rush era. Mark Twain was said to get his start while living there.
 

Bed Races

WRIGHTWOOD: Wrightwood Mountaineer Days
July 6-7, 2019, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
wrightwoodchamber.org
Annual Mountaineer Days!

GRIDLEY: Gridley Red Suspenders Day Bed Races
May 17-18, 2019
seecalifornia.com/festivals/gridley-red-suspenders-day.html
Country Mile band performing 12-3 p.m. | Parade May 18, 2019 Theme: Butte Strong
Gridley in Butte County is approx. 70 miles northeast of Sacramento.
gridleyareachamber.org/red-suspenders-days

COTTONWOOD: Bed Races May 10, 2019 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
 cottonwoodchamberofcommerce.com /events/details/bed-races-1001
Register your 4 person, 15 & older co-ed team for ONLY $25 & start building your bed!
?Broken Spring Award for the Craziest Bed & Costumes!
***New This Year!***
Youth Division
Youth teams may use same bed as an adult team!
4 Person, Co-ed Team Ages 11– 14.
ONLY $20 Entry Fee.
1st Place Trophy & Bragging Rights for each division!
Pre-registration is required. The number of teams is limited so register early!

CATHEDRAL CITY: LGBT Days' Bed Race March 30, 2019, 11:00 a.m.
http://www.cathedralcitylgbtdays.com/bed-race/
Downtown Cathedral City, 68700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero
Fastest Team Wins 5 Brand New Schwinn Mountain Bikes
Best Decorated Bed Wins $500

 

Not Forgotten -- But Probably Not Around Anymore!

Big Bear Lake Old Miner's Chili Cookoff and Outhouse Race July 16, 2016, 1:30-4 p.m.
Time: Outhouse Parade and Calcutta Auction at 1 pm
630 Bartlett
Big Bear Lake, CA
6th Annual Outhouse Race Much like the gold fever that once spread through these mountains over a century ago, Outhouse Race Fever has clearly struck Big Bear. Come to the Calcutta Auction and bid on the fastest People-Powered-Potty in the West. The winning bidder splits the prize pot with the championship team and Old Miners. The championship team is awarded the coveted Golden Outhouse trophy as well as gift certificates from Old Miners event sponsors. A People's Choice award will also be granted to the best decorated outhouse and team costumes. Race-ready outhouses will be available for rent– reserve in advance to ensure a place in the bracket!

Outhouse Races at Conejo Valley Days
Outhouse Race is the highlight for many to this Valley festival. Creativity abounds as teams create an outhouses that meets specifications for the competition. You can have doors and curtains but the door must remain open during the race. With several team members pushing and /or pulling the outhouse and one sitting on the "john" the fun begins. Two outhouses race at a time and each must stay within their assigned lane.

Outhouse Dash Half-time at Rodeo at Calaveras County Fair in May
It's only natural to include outhouse races in this fun fair where Mark Twain comes to life. There's Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher, a Jumping Frog Jubilee, rodeo, fair with midway and rides, contests and the Outhouse Races in the rodeo arena held during the rodeo. Teams consist of four people; three to push (pushers) and one to ride (pilot). Outhouses must have a half door and resemble an outhouse. All teams are expected to build their own outhouse. The wackier the better! Teams may advertise their organization on the side of the structure and outhouse names may also be applied. The only power acceptable for use in terms of moving the outhouse is manpower. No ropes or rope-like materials can be used for leverage to move the outhouse. Added items used for mobility purposes must be properly secured. Recommended attire for pilot is helmets or hard hat, rubber gloves, snorkels, outhouse goggles, rubber boots, shower cap, etc.

The pilot cannot aid in transportation in any way
Outhouse may not be carried
Outhouse must be upright

The Outhouse Races pit teams of costumed outhouse racers against each other. One person rides while team members push, pull or drag the decorated outhouses down the street course. This is great fun for the whole family! This event is free to the public and is quite the spectacle.This fun and hilarious event marks a moment in history when the townspeople once took their outhouses to the streets and marched to city hall to protest new ordinances that outlawed outdoor toilets. Since then the event has become an annual tradition to relive history and honor the golden age of outdoor plumbing!

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.