Riverhead’s first-ever coffin races are slated to take place tomorrow afternoon — the date was moved up from Sunday due to the inclement weather forecast.
Race teams have been busy building and decorating their coffins, getting ready for the big event. Each team can have up to five people — with one riding in the unusual and undeniably creepy “vehicle.”
One local team will actually be racing a real coffin.
“All my life ever since I was 16 years old, I raced cars, I raced go karts, I raced boats – and now I’m racing a casket,” said David DeFriest of Riverhead.
A team from the Long Island Aquarium is planning to dress up like scuba divers and wearing stage makeup to imitate bites, cuts and blood.
Watch this video to see a couple of teams in action as they prepare their race entry.
The coffin race event is modeled after a big event that originated in the Town of Manitou Springs, Colorado in 1994 as an event to boost tourism. It worked. The event, coupled with a parade, draws thousands each year to the central Colorado town.
Contestants should check in at Joes’ Garage at 3 p.m. The races will begin at about 3:30, said Riverhead BID executive director Diane Tucci.
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