When: The Bed Races will again roll through Labor Day Weekend, with races on Sunday September 4th and Saturday night, September 3rd, the Pajama Pub Crawl.
Where: Coconut Grove (Miami), FL on the village streets (Commodore & Grand Ave.) nearby breathtaking Biscayne Bay
Racing: The race involves rolling beds down a 1/8th mile "drag strip" street in Coconut Grove with the local community, individuals, businesses, organizations, and clubs sponsoring the beds. Teams consist of four race-bed pushers and one in-bed rider all racing against the clock until the fastest eight bed teams are determined and race head-to-head for the top position. Prizes are awarded for theme, décor, and racing success. (scroll to end for photos)
Who: Each year the race is attended by a Celebrity Grand Marshall, like 2009’s three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and Dancing with the Stars winner, Helio Castroneves and 2010's IndyCar series driver, Tony Kanaan. This year, over twenty thousand spectators are anticipated for the 2011 mind-blowing event.
Ø Multi-ethnic, male and female
Ø Shoppers, diners and pub goers
Ø Tourists and travelers
Ø Public officials & community leaders
Ø Families & children
Ø Representatives and Celebrities of the Alonzo Mourning Foundation
Ø Representatives and Celebrities from the University of Miami
Ø Representatives and Celebrities from the Homestead Miami Speedway
Highlights of the 2010 Event:
ü Over 20 thousand attendees and visitors
ü International Media Coverage featured in print, television across Canada, North America and South America, statewide radio and National sports news coverage.
ü A total of more than $900k in advertising and exposure value to the benefiting charities and top sponsors.
ü Celebrity Grand Marshall Tony Kanaan,IndyCar Series driver.
ü Pit Row parade and display of the decorated and themed beds was a media frenzy and a performance not to be missed in 2011!
ü Music, media, interactive activities and merchant specials
Who Won 2010:
Speed: The Sandbar Grill came in first for speed followed closely by The University of Miami Sleep Center and Newbeeiz in third. A special Honorable mention goes to Animal Crackers who were second fastest qualifying time but went head to head with number one in the first round.
Decor: The Tuuci umbrellas team was all decked out and took best overall, The Woomba was most creative theme and SoFLo Skate and Bike took third.
Event Goal:
To encourage visitors and patrons to enjoy the tree lined streets of Coconut Grove, to brand Coconut Grove as a busy, engaging, exciting and viable village and to create a culture where interaction, innovation, fun and humor help shift the community of Coconut Grove into a collaboration of community leaders and fundraisers who can change the world through humanitarianism and kindness.
Admission: The event is free to spectators, VIP tent passes available by sponsoring the event or for teams who raise over $2k for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade.