Another popular and unique summer event is returning to the Historic Downtown that pits colourfully-clad teams and their decorated outhouses against each other.

The 20th edition of the Great Cochrane Outhouse Race is a go for Aug. 29 and is expected to attract the largest crowd yet.

The Young Professionals Rotary Club has taken over the reins after community advocate Dan Kroffat stepped back due to health issues.

Club president Ryan Baum says it's an honour to be spearheading the event.

"We're really excited to be able to take over such a great event for this community," says Baum. "This will be our first year doing it, and Dan, with all of his past leadership on it, is stewarding us through it, so we're excited to be doing it."

He says the Mayor's Challenge, created by Mayor Jeff Genung in 2019, has been creating some extra buzz.

"The work that our mayor has done to get some excitement with his fellow mayors is driving some excitement for the event, so we feel it will be bigger than ever," says Baum.

Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown and Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita participated last time around. Unfortunately, Mayor Brown's outhouse entry collapsed, and he suffered minor injuries and a concussion.

A safety inspection will now be conducted on all race entries to attempt to avoid a repeat of the incident.

Mayor Genung says he's received plenty of interest from his fellow mayors in the mid-sized cities caucus, including Brown and the mayors of Grande Prairie, Spruce Grove, Stoney Plain, and Leduc.

"No one for sure yet, but I'm sure we'll have a good list of mayors that want to come and build an outhouse and race it on main street," he chuckles. "Crazy."

The race is unique, and for many years was spearheaded by Karrie Peace, of Heavenly Outhouses boutique, 312 1 St W.

This year she will be honoured for her long-time contribution.

Celebrity announcer CFL Hall of Famer Jon Cornish will be returning and joined by the Global TV weatherman Paul Dunphy.

For those unfamiliar, the Outhouse Race pits teams of four runners and one person on the throne against each other in heats of two on a short course. Along the way, there are typically some antics to raise chuckles for the crowd.

Baum says registration will open in a few weeks.

After attracting its largest crowd ever in 2019, it took a hiatus in 2020. That race raised about $23,000 for Girl Guides Camp Jubilee project.

The charity being supported this time around will be announced soon.