The Forest Park Review’s casket was not among the fastest in this year’s annual casket races. But we did win Frighteningly Funniest for our mailbox casket and newsboy costumes!
The 14th annual casket races on Saturday were sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and attracted hundreds of locals to the intersection of Beloit and Madison, where 16 costumed teams raced decked-out caskets down the street.
The Park District of Forest Park finished in first place this year. Second place was Riveredge Hospital, dressed as the cast of “Inside Out,” and in third place was the Burke Beverage team of runners in fighter pilot costumes and a Yuengling beer on the side of their casket.
The Dead Last team — with a tall wooden casket with a mermaid laying at its base — won creepiest casket.
Also in the top four was the School District 91 team, which had a train casket with conductors. The slowest team was Guardian of Whills, which had a “Star Wars” themed casket and costumes.
Burke Beverages won third place in the 2026 casket races. Credit Max Reinsdorf 
At the 2026 casket races, the slowest team was Guardian of Whills, which had a “Star Wars” themed casket and costumes. Credit Max Reinsdorf 
Kids line up to race down the streets as winners are determined at the 2026 casket races. Credit Max Reinsdorf 
The crowd at the 2026 casket races on Oct. 24, 2026. Credit Max Reinsdorf 
The 2026 casket races on Oct. 24, 2026. Credit Max Reinsdorf