No guts, as the saying goes, no glory.
Baltimore’s cheekiest competition, the infamous Hampden Toilet Bowl Races, is set to return Sept. 14, ending a yearslong hiatus for the street race. The races last occurred in 2019.
Participants and their porcelain thrones will convene Saturday at 1700 W. 41st St., Suite 420, near UNION Craft Brewing to climb atop their homemade commodes-on-wheels and whiz to the finish line.
For years, the wacky race was considered a hallmark of the Hampdenfest street festival, which historically took place each September until the COVID-19 pandemic paused many of the city’s large public events. Hampdenfest organizers later canceled the longtime festival in 2023 due to a scheduling conflict with Artscape and did not appear to revive it for 2024.
Local business owners behind another street festival called Hampden Highlights initially said in the spring they expected the toilet bowl races to resume on the same day as their event. The two events are unaffiliated.
It was not immediately clear why the toilet bowl races did not materialize in the spring. An organizer for the race declined a request for comment. Messages left with UNION Craft Brewing were not immediately returned.
Hampden Highlights co-founder Susannah Siger, who owns Ma Petite Shoe, said she was disappointed when the toilet bowl races didn’t come together earlier in the year but is thrilled to hear of its return.
“Who doesn’t love the toilet bowl races,” Siger said. “It’s a complicated event to put on so we’re glad they’re going to make it happen.”
For those who gotta go, the toilet bowl races are coinciding with UNION’s Oktoberfest event on Saturday. The festival begins at 11 a.m. and the toilet races begin at noon. Other activities include “Beer Olympics,” a stein-holding competition, pretzel eating contest, musical chairs and a German spelling bee as well as live music and food.