As you may or may not know, one of the signature (in other words, quirky, and often bizarre) elements of BABE Rally is Costume Day. This is the day you dress up in some prescribed costume and head off in public to complete some challenge for points.
A lot of thought goes into the annual costume. Not all thoughts are serious, not all pan out, and not all are while sober, which explains a lot of how the decision process works.
The main criteria for the BABE Rally Costume is that it be iconically American. Each year we have the same problem of finding something more iconic -- or embarrassing -- than Elvis. To date, teams have shown up in Harrisonburg, Virginia as not only The King, but as Superman, Astronauts, Dorothy, and Clint Eastwood.
This year we've decided to go to the opposite extreme of last year, when teams managed to make it though the day in about four sweltering layers of poncho and denim. This year should make up for that and allow you to cruise around in easy, breezy comfort.
The BABE 2012 Costume is the dashboard Hawaiian Hula Doll.
Not only is this a nod (pun intended) to our oft-forgotten (and probably with good reason) 50th State, but we've noticed how some people have a (disturbing) fascination with turning costume day into a cross-dressing opportunity. So this one should tick a few boxes with people.
This is also a perfect costume for the annual Water Pistol Fight. Oh, no, we haven't forgotten that. We will once again start the morning with a Water Pistol Fight in the hotel parking lot. At least Hula Girls should be able to dry out a bit easier than Cowboys.
Water Pistol Fight details will go out later in the week, but the premise is simple. Before leaving the Start Line on Day 2, there will be a 10-or-so minute water pistol frenzy to wake everybody up and get the day off to a nice, cool start. There is not set model of water pistol for BABE2012, but veterans will tell you that bigger is definitely better, as you are only allowed one load during the fight. Keep that in mind as you seek out your watery weapon of choice.
When celebrities (and Hawaiian shirts) go bad.
Last year we added a few evening games to the event, so along the same lines, we're adding an "Ugly Hawaiian Shirt" Contest as part of the daily challenge.
This is informal, but everyone is encouraged to scour your closet -- if you're brave enough to admit that you own the shirt to begin with -- thrift stores, or your father-in-law's attic, whatever, and find the winning shirt, or at least something appalling enough to add a few points to your daily score.
We're not exactly sure yet how the scoring is going to go on that, but we're pretty sure that prints with flip flops or umbrella drinks or other garish things will score big.
Good luck, aloha, and have fun.
