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 In true Virginia City spirit, the Camel Races began as a hoax. Camels were introduced to the American frontier as pack animals, and were brought to the Comstock to carry salt and general supplies. As Virginia City grew and the V&T Railroad took over the drayage chores for the area, the sometimes disagreeable and smelly animals were turned loose in the hills, and eventually disappeared. Bob Richards, late editor of Lucius Beebe's "Territorial Enterprise," wrote a fictitious account of the city's "Camel Races" in 1959, and followed up the next year with an editorial announcement of the upcoming races. Local residents, wise to this form of humor which dates back to the tall tales of Mark Twain and Dan DeQuille, early "Enterprise" reporters, watched the first real race that year. The San Francisco "Chronicle" took up the challenge thrown down by Richards; and movie director John Huston charged to victory in that first race on a camel borrowed from the San Francisco Zoo. In 1962, Ostrich Races were added to the event, and in 1987 Virginia City took the competition to its sister city, Alice Springs, Australia, and added "International" to the title
 Take an adventure back in time during historic Virginia City’s World Championship Outhouse Races. This hilarious Comstock tradition pits teams of costumed outhouse racers against each other as one person rides and the remaining team members manage to push, pull or drag the outhouse quickly down the track. The always outrageous outhouse parade on Saturday features Virginia City’s famous “Plungerettes”.
Virginia City is a great place to be on the Fourth of July. Our traditional and patriotic parade begins at noon. Boardwalks are filled with face painters, historical figures, clowns and free give-a-ways for the kids. The day ends at dusk with our spectacular fireworks display.
 Virginia City’s International Chili-Cook-off attracts great chefs from far and wide offering delectable tastes of chili made with strict guidelines. (They are competing for cash prizes) For the more fun stuff, sometimes just out of a can, the People’s Choice chili and salsa is available along C Street. There is a plenty of music, mariachis and piñatas for the kids.
 Come and have a ball at Virginia City’s eclectic and popular gourmet event also known as the Testicle Festival. Whatever you call them, they’re still sheep’s testicles. Cooks compete for the tastiest ways of preparing them as you sample the delightful delicacies.
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