THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
OAKWOOD — Just like New York’s Coney Island is known for its hot dog eating contest on the Fourth of July, Oakwood has its Commode Races returning.
The Commode Races are just like they sound. There’s a team of four, ages 13 and up, with one rider sitting on a commode and three pushers pushing the commode on a cart. They race about a block’s length to determine a winner. The winning team receives a golden toilet trophy award.
“We used to do those back in the ’80s, and we brought them back last year,” said Dawn Pricer, one of the Oakwood Fourth of July event organizers, of the Commode Races.
It’s a fundraiser for the Fourth of July celebration.
Pricer said they provide the commodes, which were donated by Todd Cox last year.
She said there can be a team theme and maybe fun costumes.
“We’re just trying to build everything back up,” Pricer said of Oakwood’s big Fourth of July celebration.
Other events include Vermilion County’s only Fourth of July parade at 11 a.m. down Oakwood Street. There also will be music, food trucks, bounce houses and children’s games, some vendors and other fun, including a Jeep show and pickleball tournament on South Main Street on Thursday. Fireworks will be at dusk. Rain date is July 6.
Pricer said a group of friends, including herself, Brian, Brett and Maria Harrison and Bart Huchel, decided to bring back activities.
Pricer, whose day job is a Realtor with Classic Homes Realty, said it takes a lot of time to organize all the Fourth of July activities.
“It’s a big deal,” she said.
She said she’s not sure on the number of parade entries this year, especially with it being an election year, but there’s a lot as usual.
“We’re the only (Fourth of July) parade in Vermilion County. We usually have a good turn out,” Pricer said.
She said they start planning again for each year’s event around November
“We do a meat raffle to raise money for the Fourth of July,” she said, about raffles on the first Sunday of every month at The Liquor Box providing extra money.
“It will be a good time,” she said of the day’s activities.
They are praying for good weather, Pricer added. A derecho windstorm came through the area last year at the end of June and much of the town was still without power. Residents came to eat at the food trucks and had a great time, Pricer said.
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