Bar Stool Races- Brought to you by Friends of Ben Wheeler

SAT MARCH 14, 2026 – DOWN-TOWN BEN WHEELER, TEXAS

 

TO RACE: 10am-Noon Check in at the Ben Wheeler Fire Department
TO WATCH: NOON Races will start around Noon and will run for about 2 hours
STAY: NOON -MIDNIGHT The Forge will have music going all day and night along with vendors and shenanigans!

Live music all day!
Barstool Races are hosted annually by Friends of Ben Wheeler and happen in historic downtown Ben Wheeler!

ARTIST VENDORS~STREET FOOD ~GREEN BEER ~ STREET VENDERS ~ IRISH TACOS ~ FISH & CHIPS ~ LEPRECHAUN EGGROLLS

JOIN US AT THE FORGE BAR & GRILL TO CELEBRATE GREEN – GO GRANDES BIRTHDAY BASH!!!

 

A HISTORY OF BARSTOOL RACES

 So what is this crazy Motorized Barstool thing anyway? Well, it started in 1978 when a can of bud cost 16 cents at the Quiet Man Bar on Knox Street in Dallas. The original circle of 6 barstool creators consisted of Bill Jenkins, Thomas Spangler, Johnny Gable, John Pullman, Mike Carr, and Keith Blackwell (the official woo hooer). Each man created his own version of a motorized barstool and then they began to race them outside the Quiet Man bar. Soon it grew to the Highland Park Cafeteria parking lot where Mrs Dewey Goodman announced the racers at a polished track. From there they moved to the Dart Bar of Cedar Springs followed by Lukes Outhouse. The tradition continued throughout Dallas, where Mr. Jenkins made the news with his barstool cannon blast that set off the alarm of a nearby liquor store.

The notorious Dallas Farmers Market quickly took up the event in full sponsorship along with Ben E Keith and Budweiser to blast the races city wide.  Bill Jenkins’ barstool train debuted (featuring a super charged 350cc Honda) coming in first place. In 1991 The races finally found their end at the Greenville Avenue St Pattys Day Parade. (This is the old school lower Greenville where legends were made.)

Last seen in 1991 the barstools have now resurfaced in Ben wheeler TX. The reincarnated reclaimed racers can be seen on display at the participating shops across the historic town of Ben Wheeler. Races to be held annually during the Green Go Grandes Birthday Bash festival.

Wanna make your own Motorized Barstool?
If you have the skills and wherewithal, we welcome you to create your own motorized barstool. Just be sure to check out the

RULES AND REGULATIONS 2026-barstools-rules-and-regulations.docx

 ENTRY FORM barstools-registration-form-2026.docx

VENDOR REQUEST email Kerianthebarbarian@gmail.com
Pease email us your name, business name, phone number, and what kind of products you sell along wtih images of your products/merchandise and your booth set-up.

Vendor Setup starts at 9am on Saturday morning, in assigned spots and must be completed by 11:30am. If you need more time please let us know so we can arrange something. Booth fee is $50, no refunds. All emails will be responded to. We will do our best not to have duplicates of most items, so please be thorough in stating what you sell. We will be asking for booth pics and merch pics.
Must have 10×10 tent and nice looking set-up. Preference given to St. Patty’s day merch and anything that is quirky and in keeping with the event theme.