Wild Racing Fun & More!
A Review by Anna Lisa Poganski
Staff Writer
 Virginia City, NV, hosts International camel, ostrich, zebra, Emu, and chicken races every second weekend in September! Also keep your eyes open for wild horses on your drives in and out of the city. Virginia City is a surprise tucked in the hills, looking out at picturesque views, and filled with historical importance all around. Museums such as, the Way It Was, the Mark Twain Museum at the Territorial Enterprise, the Silver State Peace Officers Museum, and Liberty Engine Company. #1 State Firemen’s Museum, among others, offers excitement about history and artifacts. Now, back to the races, here is a little more insight for you.
 The 53rd Annual Virginia City International Camel Races was in the first weekend of September, with affordable ticket prices for everyone, also offering family packages. The city suggests that tickets to the races be bought ahead; this is an important tip, since the races did sell out. Just in case, bring a chair or blanket, for overflow seating, a hat or umbrella for the sun, and comfortable clothing and footwear; to make your enjoyment of the events more comfortable. Information about the city events are available by calling or 1-800-718-SLVR (7587) or through the Virginia City Tourism Commission, http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com
 Showtime was wild fun: with Hedrick’s Exotic Animal Farm, hosted by Joe Hedrick, announcer/comedian. Live show music was by Larry Elliott, played in a Folk style, opening with fanfares to the beginning of each of the races, with light entertainment during intervals between the races. There is a great childlike anticipation of the excitement you hope you will experience and this is one of those gifts that you may take with you and reminisce. I watched the Disney movie, Swiss Family Robinson, as a child, that is what I had to go off of before going to the races, which were wonderfully similar.
 Upon seeing the exotic animals, their unique characteristics and personalities, the races, were surprising and humorous! The riders came from all over and so did the fans. The camels and zebras were ridden using saddles, but the ostriches were ridden bareback; my, what fun they were to watch. One of the unknown riders said riding the ostrich was “…like riding a football.” The animals and the riders were comical. Some of the animals finished the races without their riders, men helped guide the animals around the course so that they could find the finish line, and over all, the women riders rode triumphantly to victories!
Children were involved with racing chickens, chasing after the poultry, which of course is hilarious, especially with adults chasing after the chickens as well, attempting to get them over the finish line; so the kids could each have a free camel ride! I had fun and will definitely go to the races the next time I get the opportunity; wild races are closer than you would expect; so go cheer for the exotic animals when you get the chance!
Editor's Note:
In the beginning….Back in 1959 a Virginia City newspaperman named Bob Richards, (who was the editor of The Territorial Enterprise at the time), wrote a fictitious account of legendary camel races of a century ago. One year later in 1960, he announced that on the 100th anniversary of the first camel to arrive courtesy of the U.S. Army (who first brought camels to the arid American West and consequently to the Comstock where they were used to transport salt for the reduction of ore and to carry general supplies to the growing Boomtown), Virginia City would play host and challenge those far and near to an annual event that would test the riding skills of anyone willing and able to stay mounted from a starting point to a finish line.
During that first year, Bob was challenged by the San Francisco Chronicle, The Phoenix Gazette, and the Indio Chamber of Commerce. Camels that year were leased from the San Francisco Zoo and the first race was held on C St. (the main drag of town). The winner of the very first Camel Race was noted movie director, John Huston, who piloted the camel sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle. By 1962, the Camel Races were an established annual event and ostriches were added to the racing field. In 1987, the Camel Races were moved to its current home, which is at the bottom of an old quarry just behind the modern Silverland Inn & Suites on E St.
Over the past 52 years, tens of thousands of spectators from around the globe have come to witness this annual tradition. Scores of jockeys from across the world have traveled far and wide to try their hand at riding in and winning these races. Currently, the field of jockeys comes from a registry of over 200 members of the International Order of Camel Jockeys who partake every year in this popular event! The Camel Races have been covered by press and news organizations around the world, including the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and even on the front page of the Wall Street Journal in 2010. (excerpts from website)
Photos by Anna Lisa Poganski
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