Outhouse Races

Jill's Journal: On a whim, we decided to spend a day at the annual “World Championship Outhouse Races” in Virginia City. We had absolutely no idea what we were getting into, but it certainly didn’t sound like something that can be found in too many other places so we were game. What a hoot!

Three-person costumed teams in decorated outhouses race their way 100 feet down the main drag in this historic town while spectators hoot and holler.

One person rides on the “throne” while two push from behind.

The finish line is toilet paper, naturally.

The whole thing is sponsored by the Mustang Ranch, the famous brothel. Some of the costumes floating around were pretty entertaining.

The trophy is a toilet seat, of course.

All the outhouses have names, ranging from “Party Pooper” to “Flapper Crapper” to “The Urinator.” The girls thought this one was the prettiest…they either didn’t notice or didn’t care that the “bride” was a man.

I loved this little old lady. She was so intense!

The “Plungerettes” entertained the crowd.

Even canines got into the spirit of the day. This dog had painted toes.

The sidewalks in Virginia City are still wooden and most of the town is a national historic landmark. We can’t wait to come back and explore more during a "normal day" while we're in the area.

The views around here contain the hills of the world-famous “Comstock Lode.” Virginia City, along with neighbors Gold Hill and Silver City, held one of the richest gold and silver deposits ever found. This was once called “the Richest Place on Earth.”

Now it’s a lot of stunning vistas with barren hills. If you keep your eyes peeled while driving, it’s easy to spot an extreme number of barricaded and collapsed mine entrances. There was gold and silver in “them thar hills.” This area must have been crawling with prospectors a century and a half ago.