Roachdale is a town in Franklin and Jackson townships, Putnam County, in the U.S. state of Indiana.

[10] An annual tradition of roach races began in the town in 1981, as "a gimmick for the Fourth of July carnival".

To insure large sizes the roaches are imported from South Carolina labs.

Contestants put their insects in a plastic container that is placed on an oval track on a four by eight plywood board.

The container is lifted at the start of the race and whichever roach reaches the perimeter of the board first is declared the winner of each heat.

The popularity of the race resulted in its appearing on the television programs regionally on Across Indiana and nationally on Good Morning America.

In addition to being covered by The Indianapolis Star newspaper, the race was written up in Ripley's Believe It or Not!.

Many contestants dress their roaches by gluing paper top hats, saddles, or other apparel to their backs.