Outhouse Race
The Great Bristol Outhouse Race runs in a straight line from the crosswalk in front of St. Ambrose Catholic Church on West Street to the finish line at the traffic light. There are 3 outhouses entered per heat and there are usually four heats. The actual course length has never been measured but is approx. 500 feet.
Race "Headquarters" with the registration table is set up under a tent on the west side of the announcer's stage in front of Holley Hall. A large poster showing the number of heats, the entries for each heat and the ticket color assigned to each entrant, and, as the race progresses, the winner of each heat is displayed at the tent. The heat assignments are made in a random drawing. The winner of each heat then moves on to the final heat to determine who will be the World Champion Outhouse Racer.
Betting
Prior to each heat, ticket sellers wander through the crowd selling tickets for $1.00. They will be wearing a board that shows the competitors for the upcoming heat and the corresponding ticket color. You can purchase tickets for any or all of that heat's competitors. All tickets are numbered and double, so the purchaser gets one half and the seller retains the other half. Purchasing ceases as soon as the countdown to the start begins.
If your chosen competitor does not win, you can discard your ticket in the proper receptacle. If your chosen competitor wins, you are entered into a drawing against all of the other winning ticket holders from that heat. During the trophies and awards presentation after the final, a single winning ticket for each heat will be drawn for a cash prize.
Your dollar, along with all the other dollars wagered, will go to help defray the costs of next year's Bristol 4th of July celebration.