Bathtub Racers Return for More Clean Fun
May 2, 2019 by Rose Nemunaitis

Cast iron bathtubs may date back to the 1880s, but they’re still honored for their timeless appearance, durability and, in Geauga County’s case, their ability to race down Main Street in Chardon.

Print this story

Cast iron bathtubs may date back to the 1880s, but they’re still honored for their timeless appearance, durability and, in Geauga County’s case, their ability to race down Main Street in Chardon.

“I think that the bathtub race brings out so many people since it is different and you just do not see the tub races every day,” said Scott Mihalic, Geauga Maple Festival bathtub race emcee.

Die-hard racing fans lined the heart of Chardon Square April 28 for a chilly start to the final day of the 90^thmaple festival.

Teams competed for first, second and third place in the Men’s, Women’s and Over 30 divisions as well as Best of Show.

“Tubs used to be anything you could take a bath in,” said emcee Tim McCaskey, a participant in the very first festival race. “Now they are all cast iron and back then, we won a keg of beer.”

In the race, each team has two pushers, changing pushers for alternate heats, and one rider in the cast iron bathtub, which is wheels and has a steering mechanism.

Two teams start behind orange cones and race 250 feet, turning around a traffic cone, and racing back the same route in each heat for the double elimination contest.

Returning competitors, the Chardon Smile team huddled near the signup area, enjoying the camaraderie.
Their team’s Jennifer Sater was delighted to be back in the driver’s seat.

“We started out with the doctors and staff of Chardon Smile Center pushing the tub,” Sater said. “Now, we are not so competitive. It’s okay if we don’t win. Just participating is fun. Who gets to say they drive a bathtub as a hobby?”

Maybe it was reverse psychology, but they raced to the finish line and became winners once again.

“Team winnings again this year will be donated to the Chardon High School track team in the honor of the boys that passed away,” Sater said, referring to Chardon High School students Jackson Condon and Dominic Ricci, who passed away in a tragic car accident two years ago.

“Jackson and Dominic (had) pushed the tub for us,” Sater said.

Decals on their tub honor the boys.

“We have managed to figure out the best way to do the turn, but I’ll keep that part a secret,” she quipped.

The Chardon High School girls softball team may have been on to the turn secret, as well, as they cruised past the cones into first place.

“Winning the bathtub races meant a lot to me and my team because it brings us close together knowing we have to work as a team completely or we won’t succeed,” CHS junior Molly Goodge said, adding it felt great to represent their community in a fun, positive way and carry on the team’s tradition.

“Every year, we look forward to the bathtub race because we all have so much fun and create memories,” Goodge said. “Hopefully, we share our joy with others who come to watch.”