The Cinciditarod is a wacky shopping cart race through the city. It’s named in tribute to the Alaskan Iditarod – a brutal 1,100-mile dog-sledding race – but instead of dogs, it’s people; instead of sleds, it’s shopping carts; and instead of Alaska, it’s Cincinnati.

…While physically attached to their grocery carts, teams push through a nearly five-mile course over the streets of downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Newport and Covington, picking up items on a grocery list and stopping at five mandatory checkpoints.

Watch the 2008 video.

2009 Cinciditarod Team Registration & Waiver Form

2009 Cinciditarod Rules

The race is tomorrow!

On October 4, Red Bull Soapbox Race will come screeching into Cincinnati’s Mount Adams area as 40 teams put their skills to the test driving homemade human-powered soapbox cars down the urban 1/4-mile “track”. They’ll be challenged with steep descents, turns, and ultimately, the clock as they strive for soapbox stardom and a place at the podium.

- Red Bull Soapbox USA

I can’t think of many gentle hills in Mt. Adams.  I hope they they all wear helmets.  Check out some of the team names:

• Cletus Built My Hot Rod
• Fastest Toolbox in the World
• The Adam West Experience
• Urine it to win it (you read it right)

More info from Cincinnati.com.

I had two events set to write about for this weekend, when I looked over at Soapbox Cincinnati and saw that they had beaten me to it already, and even included more events! Well, here they are anyway. On the longest weekend of daylight of the year, the list of quirky things to do abound. I like to think we have pagans to thank. Thank you pagans.

• RiverSpan Sculpture Exhibition and Sale. “The entire bridge deck will be tented to provide an enjoyable experience to artists and patrons alike, rain or shine.” Hmm, like a giant worm trapped in a purple cage.
• Cincinnati Soapbox Derby. Aside: I once made a car for the Pinewood Derby in Cub Scouts. I didn’t know it was legal to add weight to the car. Hence, I finished dead last, and my car didn’t even make it to the end of the track. Thank you for the self-confidence, Cub Scouts.
• Happen Inc.’s Grand Opening Celebration In Northside. From the creators of the Toy Lab comes a new space in Northside. Promises to be a fun day of art for all ages.
• 48-Hour Film Fest At 20th Century Theater. See the best films that can be made in under 48 hours.