What is happening at the National Outhouse Festival today?

October 10, 3:35 PMCross Country Travel ExaminerLindsay Godfree

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  Outhouses need creativity

It’s happening cross country October 10th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in Greenville, IL just off Interstate Highway 70 at Exit 45 and we just had to see it. America has a fascination for the best and most unique of toilet facilities. Outhouses on display will be auctioned at 2 p.m. to benefit the American Farm Heritage Museum.

This fall festival is featuring outhouse games, painted pumpkins, wiener roast, train rides; craft show; craft demonstrations; campfire cooking. Kids section includes hayrides, paint your own pumpkin, games. Everyone loves the Halloween costume contest with prizes and the children were having a screaming good time. The best chili from the chili cook off was made available for lunch for $2.50 and was excellent.

At the first annual event in 2006 the camouflage outhouses were the favorite for bidders. Ten outhouses were featured at the event, held in conjunction with the AFHM’s yearly Fall Festival which drew a crowd of curiosity seekers as well as bidders.  A camouflage outhouse gained the highest bid of $550 followed by a cedar-siding privy for $500 and a John Deere model for $425.  Nine of the outhouses were sold for a total of $2,750.

This Examiners Advice: This event needs more participation. If you want to see creative outhouses you have to go to Alaska where they do not have plumbing. See this web-site for outhouse photos from Alaska 
 
Or get this tabletop book of beautiful outhouses at Amazon.com for ideas for painting and decorating an outhouse.

NOTE: When  traveling your greatest adventure should not be trying to find a restroom. See my article Travel 101: What is the most important lesson of constant travel? Women can pee standing up