Race of the Roach

Australia Day - January 26. Meat pies, bbq lamb chops and the Day of the Roach...well, at least in Brisbane at the Story Bridge Hotel. Unfortunately Dale Squirmhart and Shoe Be Gone did not cross the line, not even sure they made it across the line before a sole was their demise. This racing of the cockroaches is a tradition apparently started back in 1981.

"As the story goes the Story Bridge Hotel Cockroach Races were started when two old punters sat in the bar arguing over which suburb had the biggest and fastest roaches. They decided to race some roaches the next day and history was made. The races have now been held at the Story Bridge Hotel for 28 years."

There are ten races, one every half hour. About 40 "entries" in each race. You have to enter your roach under a name (which is a game in and of itself) and their number is drawn on its back. Your lucky if your steed even makes it through the race...once they let them all out there's a lot of screaming and stomping of feet as they scatter over the mat and into the crowd. At one point a roach was even thrown into my purse. Disgusting! Some of the Hall of Famers are: Sir Roachalot, Cocky Balboa, Cow Cocky and my personal favorite and 2003 winner - Lord of the Drains.

Here's a taste of the fun:


For the history of Australia Day: http://www.australiaday.com.au/studentresources/history.aspx