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The Town of Tryon held its annual April Fool’s Day Celebration featuring Outhouse Races, a trash-themed fashion show, music, and lots of fun. (Photos by Storme Smith)

The Town of Tryon held its annual April Fool’s Day Celebration featuring Outhouse Races, a trash-themed fashion show, music, and lots of fun. (Photos by Storme Smith)

The Town of Tryon held its annual April Fool’s Day Celebration featuring Outhouse Races, a trash-themed fashion show, music, and lots of fun. (Photos by Storme Smith)

The Town of Tryon held its annual April Fool’s Day Celebration featuring Outhouse Races, a trash-themed fashion show, music, and lots of fun. (Photos by Storme Smith)

The Town of Tryon held its annual April Fool’s Day Celebration featuring Outhouse Races, a trash-themed fashion show, music, and lots of fun. (Photos by Storme Smith)

Royalty Doesn’t Rush leisurely made their way to the finish line in the outhouse race at the April Fool’s Day Celebration. (Photo by Storme Smith)

The Dark Horse won a closely contested outhouse race (Photo by Storme Smith)

The Town of Tryon held its annual April Fool’s Day Celebration featuring Outhouse Races, a trash-themed fashion show, music, and lots of fun. (Photos by Storme Smith)

The Town of Tryon held its annual April Fool’s Day Celebration featuring Outhouse Races, a trash-themed fashion show, music, and lots of fun. (Photos by Storme Smith)

Outhouse races, trashion show takes place at annual event

TRYON– On Saturday, March 29, the Town of Tryon held its annual April Fool’s Day Celebration featuring Outhouse Races, a trash-themed fashion show, music, and lots of fun activities for kids and adults. 

The parade kicked off the annual April Fools’ Celebration on Trade Street at noon, showcasing the spirit of fun and competition that defines this unique event. Participants included the Men Without Jobs, the Foothills Humane Society, Mayor Alan Peoples, and competitors set to vie for victory in the highly anticipated Outhouse Race.

Initially established in 2004, Tryon resident Sam Bell revived the Outhouse Races two years ago. 

“This is a great event and a Tryon tradition we were glad to bring back. It’s an opportunity for everyone to come out, have fun, and take their mind off everything,” said Bell. “And I want to thank the Town of Tryon, TDDA, my family and everyone who turned out and participated.” 

For a second year in a row, her brother Alex Schweizer, who celebrates his birthday on April Fool’s Day, served as the Grand Marshal. TDDA member Steven Siler emceed the festivities. Schweizer and Siler donned festive attire that illuminated the day’s light-hearted tone.

The celebration’s highlight, the Outhouse Races, commenced at the intersection of Palmer Street and North Trade. Onlookers cheered as three teams raced toward the iconic Clock Tower in their creatively designed mobile outhouses. Among the amusingly named competitors were the Porta-Pallet, the Dark Horse, and Royalty Doesn’t Rush, with the latter group playfully dressed as jesters as they made their way, ever so leisurely, up the course, carefully pushing Elizabeth Schweizer, the mother of the Grand Marshall.

The Dark Horse team, sponsored by T’s Auto Detailing and Campbell & Associates Real Estate, won the closely contested race. The Porta Pallet finished second, and Royalty Doesn’t Rush came a distant third. 

Mayor Peoples described the day as “Fantastic,” and Grand Marshall Schweizer added, “We love visiting Tryon, and it’s great to be able to celebrate my birthday here at such a fun event with friends and family.”

At the Clock Tower, the Trashion Show unfolded, featuring participants adorned in inventive outfits made entirely from recycled materials, including newspapers and aluminum foil. Contestants competed in three categories, each unique creation earning applause and cheers from the enthusiastic crowd as they paraded down a makeshift runway on Trade Street.

Additionally, the celebration offered an Adopt-A-Dog event hosted by the Foothills Humane Society and a community scavenger hunt supported by various local businesses, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and engagement among attendees.

As the day continued, St. Luke’s Plaza came alive with live music, featuring performances from The Conspiracy Theorists followed by Michael Baughman. Families enjoyed various kids’ activities, including crafts, balloon twisting, face painting, and the ever-popular Puppy Love Zone.

Free yoga classes were offered at the Tryon Yoga Center, and attendees were treated to a magical performance from J.J. Pearson.

This year’s April Fools’ Celebration proved to be a resounding success. Community members and visitors enjoyed a day filled with laughter, creativity, and a shared love for their town.

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