Registration for the 14th annual Cochrane Outhouse Races is filling up fast, but there is still some room for local organizations to sign up.
The event that has teams race their decorated outhouses against one another has become a must-see event in Cochrane.
It is put on by local retail store Heavenly Outhouse and will be held this year on Saturday, Sept. 27 during Alberta Culture Days in Cochrane.
Karrie Peace from Heavenly Outhouse organizes the event and said they would be accepting a max of 22 outhouses this year and already have 12 confirmed and six more pending.
She encouraged people to sign up before the last minute, because last year she had to turn away quite a few people.
“People laugh a lot and it is such a good way to raise money. It pulls the whole community together and it’s a fun thing,” said Peace. “This is about community and supporting the community.”
Peace said the registration fee is whatever entrants want to donate with 100 per cent of the proceeds going towards the Christmas food hampers put together by the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank.
She said last year they raised over $8,000.
Teams must be made up of four runners and one rider. There is a $500 prize for funniest team and a $500 prize for the fastest team.
Peace said one tip she would give would be to decide as a team if you are aiming to win fastest or funniest, and then mobilize. She said to make sure to have fun with it and be creative.
She said she also encourages teams to take advantage of connecting with the crowd and using it as a tool to let people know that you’re there as a business.
“Get some coupons you can throw out or fun promotional things to let people know that you are a local business and you care about the community,” she said, adding that the event really brings staff together.
The deadline to register is Sept. 8 and those who are interested can email Peace at [email protected].
