Bristol Vermont – Stuck In Vermont

Vermont

I stumbled across Stuck In Vermont a couple of weeks ago and loved it. The show is a regular on YouTube. Their channel can be found at Stuck In Vermont.

The 32nd Annual Great Bristol Outhouse Race drew a large crowd early Saturday morning before the town’s 4th of July parade.

Why race faux outhouses on the 4th of July? No one really knows but it’s a Bristol tradition and there are cool trophies.

2026 Story Update:

The Great Bristol Outhouse Race is a quirky, beloved tradition held annually on the 4th of July in Bristol, Vermont. It is exactly what it sounds like: teams race homemade, wheeled outhouses down the street to the cheers of thousands of spectators.

Here is a breakdown of how the event works and its history:

The Basics

  • When: Every July 4th (usually starting at 9:00 AM).
  • Where: West Street in Bristol, VT. The course runs in a straight line from St. Ambrose Catholic Church to the traffic light (approximately 500 feet).
  • The Goal: To be the fastest team to push/pull an occupied outhouse across the finish line.

The Rules & Teams

  • Team Composition: Each team has three members: two runners (who push or pull) and one rider (who sits inside the outhouse).
  • Equipment: The “outhouse” is typically a simple frame provided by the race organizers, which teams decorate elaborately.
    • It must have three sides (a back and two side enclosures).
    • It sits on casters (wheels), which make steering notoriously difficult.
    • Safety: The rider inside must wear a helmet.
  • Propulsion: No ropes or engines allowed—strictly human power (pushing and pulling).

How the Race Works

  1. Heats: The race is run in heats (usually three outhouses at a time). The winners of the preliminary heats advance to a final showdown to determine the World Champion.
  2. Betting: This is a unique feature. Before each heat, spectators can purchase $1 tickets to “bet” on a specific outhouse.
    • If your chosen outhouse wins the heat, your ticket goes into a drawing for a cash prize.
    • All losing tickets are tossed into a receptacle.
    • The proceeds from the betting help fund the town’s 4th of July celebration for the following year.

History & Vibe

The race has been running since 1980, making it a staple of Vermont independence celebrations for over 45 years. It was reportedly started by local resident Larry Gile, who had heard of similar races elsewhere and wanted to bring the fun to Bristol.

The event is known for its chaotic energy. Because the outhouses are on small caster wheels, they often spin out, crash, or veer wildly off course (“The Running of the Bowls” is a common nickname). Teams often wear costumes, and there are awards not just for speed, but also for “Best Decorated” outhouse.