Southeast Tourism Society has named Sapphire Valley Outhouse Races as one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for February 2019.

This year’s Outhouse Races are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 16, 2019. The STS Top 20 Festival and Event Awards have highlighted programs around the Southeast since 1985.

Travel industry experts select 10 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States. The complete list is published on two websites: Southeast Tourism Society and Travel Media Press Room.

Crazy? Maybe. Dangerous? Perhaps. Fun? Without a doubt! You won’t find Outhouse Races on snow anywhere else in North Carolina! Dozens of outhouses race to compete for the throne. Spectators come from throughout the Southeast to line the course and cheer on those brave enough to see if the outhouse crashes and burns or sails across the finish line.

Homemade outhouses can be made of wood, cardboard, plastic, or any other homemade items. There are three people to a team and outhouses are secured on a set of skis, which can be provided to you by the Sapphire Valley Ski Area. These skis are pushed by two team members, while one team member ‘sits’ inside.

“The Top 20 Festival and Event Program is celebrating 34 years of spotlighting the best festivals and events in the Southeast.  Our goal is to provide well-deserved accolades for the dedicated event organizers and additional media exposure for their events,” said Monica Smith, president and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society.  “The Southeast offers so many unique, year-round, opportunities for attendees to create memories and support an industry that is an economic generator for its community.”

Events considered for the STS Top 20 recognition must be at least three years old and have attendance of at least 1,000.   The online nomination link and submission deadlines are available at SoutheastTourism.org or by calling 770-542-1523.

STS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Roswell, Ga., is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting travel and tourism within 12 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.