Outhouse Races attract hundreds of spectators

Close to 300 spectators turned out to watch 14 teams compete in the 2025 Fishing Highway 24 Tourist Association's Outhouse Races. 

Held in Lone Butte at the Iron Horse Pub, this year the Outhouse Races enjoyed the perfect weather for the event, with fresh snowfall and cool temperatures ensuring the racers had plenty of snow to race on. Tammy Midgley, a director for the tourist association who helped run the races, said it was a team effort to organize that paid off. 

"I was really impressed with today's races. We had kids, men's and women's teams. The turnout looked really good and I understand there were cars parked up and down Highway 24," Midgley remarked. "It's really great when the crowd starts cheering, this a lot of fun. It turned out to be a good day weather-wise, it wasn't too cold, so people hung around."

Midgley said this year they had 14 teams racing in eight different outhouses. Some teams built their own unique rigs while others borrowed an outhouse provided by the organizers. Teams included members of local businesses, the Interlakes and Lone Butte fire departments and local friend and family groups. 

One of the new teams racing this year was Stool Spool led by Alex Thibault, who competed with his son-in-law Mike Peterson and his friend Darren Hoogland. Thibault said he attended the Outhouse Races before as a spectator and has always wanted to give it a try. Two years ago he made an outhouse for the races but was unable to enter it until now after the races were postponed in 2023 due to too much snow and then scaled down in 2024 due to a lack of snow. 

"It feels awesome (to race it). I've got my coworker Darren with me and my son-in-law, it's a great group of people," Thibault remarked. "We've got some stiff competition with the kids next door but I think age is going to overcome youth." 

The team Thibault referred to was dubbed, appropriately, the Young-Uns made up of cousins Evan Hoogland and Dawson Hoogland and their friend Jarrod Jones. The trio of young men formed their team at the last minute and borrowed the organizer's outhouse to compete. 

Dawson explained that his entire family had come out to watch the races as they had done for years when he and his cousin decided to try competing. This marked the first time he's competed in the Outhouse Races which he found to be a fun experience. It was also a bonus to compete against his Uncle Darren. 

"This thing is a lot heavier than I expected it was going to be, but it's good," Dawson said, referring to his outhouse. "(I've enjoyed) beating everyone. We haven't lost yet."

When asked what was his favourite part of the event, Thibault remarked it was the chance to bond with his team and everyone else who attended. He added he enjoyed the experience and would love to do it again. Dawson agreed noting he'd like to make his own outhouse for it next year. 

"The crowd is great, we just need more competition (next year)," Thibault remarked. 

In the end, the Young-Uns proved to be an unstoppable force beating Mr. T Contracting by just one second in the men's category to take first place. Meanwhile, Wettstone Ranch's Giddy Up came in first in the ladies' category just beating out the Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department's Fire In The Hole team, a result that was mirrored in the kid's category. Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson, who made an appearance to judge the prettiest outhouse, selected Fire In The Hole to receive the nod for Best Decorated Outhouse. 

IVFD member and racer Patricia McKay said she was thrilled they won the award for Best Decorated Outhouse. She noted it was the first time in several years the IVFD has competed in the Outhouse Races. 

"We brought our outhouse out of the backwoods, dusted it off and decided to put three teams together. We had ladies, men and junior," McKay remarked. 

The races themselves were a bit exhausting, McKay said with a laugh, noting it was hard to push such a heavy outhouse on the snow. That being said, she remarked they had a lot of fun and it was good to hear so many people cheering for them. McKay confirmed they'll be back next year with a lighter model of their outhouse. 

"We're wood (right now) so we're going to go new age and light," McKay said. 

With this Outhouse Race now in the books, Midgley said she and the rest of the association are already looking forward to organizing next year's races. She is hopeful they'll be able to encourage more people to build and enter their outhouses next time or at the very least come and race in the association's. 

"It's so much fun to have your own outhouse and do a family group or a corporate work group. It's a great way to show you're part of the community and it's a great day," Midgley remarked. "Anyone can come even if they don't have their own outhouse. Bring your family, bring your friends and make a day of it."