Only in Forest Park - a town with a ratio of 33:1 dead versus living folks - could this kind of thing even be contemplated.

If you're into a ghoulish kind of fun, there's still time to team up with a few friends and help launch the first-ever Forest Park Flapper Ghost Casket races on Saturday, Oct. 27.

The race starts at 10 a.m. runs until 1 p.m.

"We're raising awareness of Forest Park and celebrating our spirit," said Laurie Kokenes, the executive director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and Development, sponsors of this event. "We like to do unique, different things. We love to have different kinds of fun here."

Different is the watchword here. "Exhaustive" research has unearthed the names of two communities in Colorado that have similar contests. One is in  Manitou Springs, where the Emma Crawford Coffin Races will also be held on Oct. 27. The other is in Nederland, where the Frozen Dead Guys Race was held this past March. 

Specifications and contest rules for Forest Park's event are listed as the PDF. Each casket will be manned by four people. The picture posted here is the Chamber's official prototype. If you want to get an inside look at it, it's in the park district headquarters, 7501 W. Harrison St.

You don't have a lot of time to get ready. The deadline is Sept. 28.

The event is part of the chamber's celebration of its 100th anniversary. A masquerade ball will be held on Oct. 26 at the Park District headquarters building.

For more information, call the Chamber at 708-366-2543 or stop by the office at 7331 W. Roosevelt Rd.