Outhouse Race Fundraiser

In Trenary, Michigan, they hold an annual Trenary Outhouse Classic which includes an outhouse race.  Homemade outhouses are made of wood, cardboard, plastic, tape, old foreign cars, grand piano crates, you name it. The outhouses are placed on skis and pushed by 2 “Racers” (this is a very loosely used term). Each year the theme of the race varies. Some outhouses are very simple and some are so elaborate you may not mind having them in your own backyard! The outhouses are pushed, one-by-one, down Trenary’s main street. The racers (team) with the best times win cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Depending on age, there are 7 different categories, and more prizes to be won that have nothing to do with how fast one goes (no pun intended). Registration ranges from $15 for those 5 and under to $35 for those 50 and over.

In addition to the races, main street Trenary provides for a day of the 4-F’s: fun, food, and family festivities. While you’re here, make sure to support our vendors and sponsors. You can even (that means you should) buy an OFFICIAL outhouse t-shirt, cap, headband (just like Michael Jordan once wore), sweatshirt, vest (very stylish), flask, pin, coffee mug (can also be used for other liquid refreshments), shot glass (not to be used as a target, so please don’t take the name too literally), cooler, greeting cards, and perhaps most importantly, can and bottle koozies. All items are available for purchase at the Trenary Outhouse Classic tent. All proceeds earned from donations, purchases and registrations go back to support the community of Trenary, MI.

This certainly won’t work everywhere but it sounds like lots of fun.  Can’t you just see this at a college or university? 


We have included a number of do-it-yourself fundraising ideas in this section that offer a break from traditional product sales.  They were developed by groups just like yours in an attempt have a little fun with their fundraiser. Some of them are tried and true while others show a lot of creativity … and even wackiness in some cases.  All of them are obviously not appropriate for every group, but sometimes, with only a little modification, your might find some fund raising ideas that are perfect for your group. If you have an idea for a do-it-yourself fund raiser you are willing to share with others, please send it to us via email. Include anything and everything you would want to know if you were hearing the idea for the first time.