Boo-Coda Casket Races Saturday, October 21st, 2023
Official Rules and Information (Subject to Change)
For questions and to confirm you plan to participate please contact Race Chairperson George Sharp 360-878-3835, gsharp@thurstonedc.com 

The Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular Casket Races is coordinated by the Town of Bucoda and will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Start time to be announced based on number of teams participating. Awards ceremony will take place at 5:00PM. Location: Main Street in front of Joe’s Place and the Bucoda Community Center. Registration will be in the South Room of the Community Center.
Build your own casket or borrow one from the Town of Bucoda.
Awards will be given for overall Fastest Times for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Dead Last, Scariest Casket, Funniest Casket, Most Original Casket, and Best Costumed Team & Cortege. There will also be the Mayor’s Cup with cities in Thurston and Lewis County competing against each other. There will also be Casket Races for the following categories/types: First Responders, Media, Middle Schools, High Schools, College/University, Non-profit Organizations, Government Agencies, Elected Officials, Candidates for Elected Offices, Financial Institutions (Banks/Credit Unions), Real Estate Firms, Bars/Taverns, Chambers of Commerce, Businesses, Families (2 Adults, 3 Youth) and Friends. Each category will have a trophy for the fastest time and the Best Costume Team & Cortege. If you don’t have a team but would like to compete we can place you with others to form a team.
Cost $100, includes 1 T-Shirt for each participant (5 total T-Shirts). You can enter your team anytime up to Noon on Saturday, October 21st. However to receive a T-Shirt on Race Day entry deadline is October 11. We will accept Cash or Checks for payment. Make checks payable to Town of Bucoda. Bring payment with you on Race Day. *If you want to purchase additional shirts for your Cortege they are $25 each.
Teams consist of 4 Pallbearers and 1 Corpse. Teams will be allowed to compete with a minimum of 2 Pallbearers and 1 Corpse. Each team is guaranteed to participate in at least two races.
The Casket Races should be seen as a marketing opportunity for businesses, government agencies, schools, elected officials, candidates for elected offices and non-profit organizations. Friends and Families are also encouraged to put together a team and Cortege (supporters) and have fun competing against other teams. All Pallbearers, Corpses, Corteges, must sign a “Hold Harmless Agreement” (an agreement which holds the Town of Bucoda harmless for any accidents or injuries) on the day of the race. Each race team member will receive the Hold Harmless Agreement at check-in on race day. All Caskets, Pallbearers, Corpses, must check-in/register at the South Room in the Community Center. Casket Race Teams are permitted and encouraged to distribute promotional products and Candy in Pit Row. Each participating Casket Race Team shall provide a Casket and or use a casket provided by the Town of Bucoda. Race officials will inspect all Caskets before the race. Caskets that do not pass inspection may not race. Any questions or disagreements will be forwarded to an event official. All Corpses must wear helmets during the race. Pallbearers are also encouraged to wear protective gear. Every entrant and participant shall conduct themselves according to the highest standards of behavior and sportsmanship. Pallbearers must hold onto the Casket until it has crossed the finish line and stopped. Changing Pallbearers or Corpses during a heat is prohibited. In case of injury, a race official shall have the authority to allow a substitute. Pallbearers will keep their Casket in their own lane. Pallbearers and Caskets may touch the center line, but not cross over it. Pallbearers and/or Caskets interfering with the other team as a result of leaving their lane will be disqualified. Protests can only be made by the race competitors. Protests must be directed to a race official within 5 minutes of the completion of the heat in question. Protests must be logical, reasonable, and based on sound evidence. Decisions by race officials are final. The Casket race teams with the four fastest times from the qualifying Heats will run 2 final Heats to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The 3rd and 4th fastest times and 1st and 2nd fastest times will race each other in the final races to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The team with the slowest time of all heats will be declared dead last. The Fastest Casket Race Team in each category will receive a Trophy. (Race format subject to change) RACE CASKET SPECIFICATIONS: The intent of the Casket Races is to have fun and provide an entertaining experience for participants and audience. Creativity is encourage for the design of the Casket, Costumes of the Team and Cortege. SIZE OF CASKET: Race Caskets should be a minimum 2 feet wide and 5 feet Long, and a maximum of 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. Overall width includes handles for pushing. 1. WHEEL SPECIFICATION: Each Race Casket must have a minimum of 2 wheels/tires that must be in constant contact with the road surface. Wheels must be within the overall dimensions of the Casket. Casters may be used. For safety and steering ability, wheels or casters may rotate or swivel. 2. STEERING. Steering mechanisms operated from inside or outside of the Race Casket are prohibited. Ropes for pulling Caskets are also prohibited. 3. DESIGN. Race Caskets are encouraged to have a logo, company/organization, personal names, or other types of decorations on sides, top or inside; however they may not exceed the maximum width and/or length of the Race Casket. We encourage you to provide a memorable name for your Casket Race Team, Casket and Corpse. If you borrow a Casket from the Town of Bucoda you will be sharing it with other teams. You should have your decorations portable and able to transfer from one Casket to another. Each Casket must have 2 Push Handles firmly attached. Front and Rear Push Bars are optional. No ropes are allowed. 4. RACE NUMBER. All Race Caskets must attached to the Front of the Casket the Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular Logo & Number, which will be provided by the Town of Bucoda at the time of registration. (Size is 8 ½” high x 11” wide). 5. SAFETY. Safety is IMPERATIVE! Race officials may disqualify any Casket they feel is dangerous.

TOWN OF BUCODA PO BOX 10 – 101A EAST 7TH STREET BUCODA, WA 98530 PHONE (360) 278-3525 FAX (360) 278-3526 bucoda@scattercreek.com