T-minus 10 days until one of Cochrane's signature events, the 18th annual Outhouse Races, hits the streets. The outrageous, laugh-generating latrines atop wheels will see a full roster this year - with some two dozen water closets charging down Main Street at 10 a.m. on Sept. 29. Registration is by donation with a full roster set to take place. Proceeds this year will go toward a community project pulling heartstrings – the build of a fully accessible, inclusive playground at Centennial Park in the East End, which is nearing halfway to its $600,000 goal. "This year, we're honouring children," said event co-host – retired professional celebrity wrestler and philanthropist Dan Kroffat, who is joined by retired Stampeders running back Jon Cornish. "The tangible part is that we're raising money to build Centennial Park." The goal this year is $20,000, as the event looks to set a fundraising record. The Outhouse Races fundraising efforts will be added to by the charitable golf tourney coming up Sept. 29 – the Monumental Tournament of Aces, which will be donating a portion of its proceeds to the cause. "Jon Cornish and I will have a big surprise for the kids this year," hinted Kroffat, adding that there will be a face painting tent sponsored by Shelly Kramer of Royal LePage Integrity and more than 200 helium balloons up for grabs so if ever there was a year to not leave the kids at home, this is it. Attendees who would like to take a signature selfie are encouraged to do so – with Kroffat and Cornish atop a true relic: a 1891-built stagecoach that was used in the filming of the television series Bonanza. The stagecoach is courtesy of Alex Baum of Cochrane Toyota. McDonald's Cochrane will be serving up a courtesy pancake breakfast on site from 8:30-9:30 a.m. with the races kicking off afterwards. One of the highlights this year is a square-off between Cochrane mayor and council and Rocky View County council. "It's amazing to see all the sponsors step forward - especially McDonald's doing breakfast and running an outhouse," said event organizer Karrie Peace, owner of Poor David's and The Heavenly Outhouse, who is directing people to check out the event Facebook page. The Fireside School Playgound Committee is also lending support to the cause - having spent last week building their fully-accessible playground at their K-8 school, which they just finished fundraising $400,000 to build. Learn more on the Facebook page The Great Cochrane Outhouse Races or call 403-932-9288.
