The camels have taken over Virginia City Fairgrounds
Who’s ready to see some camels?
The hilarious annual and international Camel & Ostrich Races of the Comstock started yesterday in Virginia City and will finish on Sunday, Sept. 11.
This traditional wild ride event is entering its 63rd year at the Virginia City Fairgrounds. The origin of the races date back to the 1950s as a prank between two newspaper editors.
This laughable tradition started in 1959 when Virginia City's Territorial Enterprise editor Bob Richards ran a fictitious story about camels racing in Virginia City. The San Francisco Chronicle not only believed the story, but they also reprinted it.
When the discovery of the fictions story came out, they became the butt of the joke. The Chronicle sent a team of jockeys and camels borrowed from the San Francisco Zoo the following year to race, starting a new tradition.
It is now one of the West's most beloved and hilarious family events.
The races feature professional and amateur jockeys precariously perched on camels, zebras, and ostrich as they maneuver the track at high speeds, aiming for a win among a cheering crowd.
A comical racing spectacle that leaves the entire family laughing, the event includes a fair-like midway with vendors and treats for the family. Camel rides are available for the attendees as well.
Kristy Bond from Mount Shasta, California, volunteers with the International Order Camel Jockey Club and has been riding for 40 years. Her parents were friends with the Camel Jockey Club presidents and decided to enter her into the races.
The International Order Camel Jockey Club helps people come together to learn how to ride and care for these exotic animals.
“Hopefully, this keeps going. It's an entertaining event,” Bond said. “We hope to get more of the younger generation who want to help and learn how to ride. It helps with good work ethics. The animals are amusing.”
The last day of the races, Sept. 11, is themed as Family Day, with a show starting at noon.
Tickets start at $13 and are available here. Tickets are also available at the fairgrounds, 458 F Street.