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True Fake: How a Prank War Spawned Nevada's Camel Race
Confirmed
In Short: The annual Virginia City Camel Race, celebrating its 67th year, began as a prank between Nevada newspapers in 1959.
The true fake story behind the annual Virginia City Camel Race started in 1959 when the editor of the Territorial Enterprise of Virginia City wrote a fake story about camels racing in the town, sparking a prank war with the San Francisco Chronicle.
The following year, the Chronicle borrowed camels from the San Francisco Zoo and brought them to Virginia City to race, setting the stage for what would become a beloved local tradition.
Today, the event returns Sept. 11-13, featuring quirky races, entertainment, and family-friendly activities, including camel rides and a wide variety of food and beverages.
The event, now in its 67th year, continues to bring fun and excitement to Virginia City, with special performances and races throughout the weekend, making it a must-attend for locals and visitors alike.
What's confirmed
- The true fake story behind the annual Virginia City Camel Race started in 1959 when the editor of the Territorial Enterprise of Virginia City wrote a fake story about camels racing in the town, sparking a prank war with the San Francisco Chronicle.
- The following year, the Chronicle borrowed camels from the San Francisco Zoo and brought them to Virginia City to race, setting the stage for what would become a beloved local tradition.
- Today, the event returns Sept. 11-13, featuring quirky races, entertainment, and family-friendly activities, including camel rides and a wide variety of food and beverages.
- The event, now in its 67th year, continues to bring fun and excitement to Virginia City, with special performances and races throughout the weekend, making it a must-attend for locals and visitors alike.
What's still developing
- Saddled up and ready to ride, the International Camel and Ostrich Races returns Sept.
- Get up-close to camels, ostriches, zebras, emus and more as professional and amateur jockeys gallop, swerve and falter their way to the finish line.
- The family-favorite event features quirky races, entertainment, surprises, fan contests, food trucks serving up carnival-style treats, craft and artist vendors, a wide variety of beverages at the event bars, official Camel Races merch and camel rides for that must-have photo-op.
- Hot Camel Nights: A special Friday evening performance at 5 p.m.
- Saturday’s Camel Hump to C Street, 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.
- Another crucial difference between the two “Evil Geniuses” is that when the docuseries called Diehl-Armstrong a genius, it meant it, in its own sensational true-crime kind of way.
- “ Evil Genius,” her third full-length film as a director, combines elements of the first two: Like the 2012 TV movie “TalhotBlond,” it’s based on a notorious true-crime case, and borrows its name from a documentary about those same events.
- That search revealed the story appeared to originate from the Facebook page StoryTime, which posted ( archived ) prior to the other social media posts linked in this fact check.