Box springs do battle at tongue-in-cheek Coconut Grove PJ-party tradition dating back 30 years

Vanilla Ice, Miami native and Grand Marshall of the 2011 Bed Race

In the mood for some mattress mayhem? Perhaps even a little bed-on collision? Then set your alarm for Labor Day Weekend and don’t hit snooze—you’ll lose.

There’s no bedside manner required for this pajama party that’ll shake you out of your slumber and have you shedding your slippers and rippin’ your one-sies. This, Sleeping Cutie, is your wake-up call for the 2012 Great Grove Bed Race.

A tongue-in-cheek competition of racing homemade beds down the streets of Coconut Grove, the origins of the Great Grove Bed Race date back three decades. Tireless teams consist of five members—call it a “five-way”—with four ready-to-romp racers and one rider hitched to the headboard. Speed wins the ultimate exhale at the checkered flag, but awards also will be given for theme, creativity and décor (this being a consummate competition). Celebrity judges will be on hand to grade those looking to score away from home, and proceeds from this roll in the hay of hilarity benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade.

Said Daisy Lewis-Salazar, Coconut Grove Merchant Group Event Director: “Racers, sponsors and fans all raising money to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade; who wouldn’t get in bed with that?”

Miami residents, Coconut Grove merchants, and local clubs, businesses and organizations all are invited to pull back the sheets on this year's affair, with festivities kicking off Saturday night, Sept. 1, of Labor Day Weekend with the Pajama Pub Crawl through participating Coconut Grove bars and restaurants.

Sunday, Sept. 2 is race day, with highlights to include Kids Storytelling Time; the Waiters/Waitresses Obstacle Course; a Pit Row Parade of decorated beds on display; and of course the 1/8th-mile trundle through the heart of the Grove Village. And to eliminate any awkwardness or hard feelings after the on-track tryst, Grove merchants will host a post-race celebration complete with live music, interactive exhibits and perhaps even a little pillow talk—just no sleeping with the enemy... maybe....

This Labor Day Weekend, Coconut Grove is the place to be for some laborious laughter. For event info—and to register to create your own bedlam—visit www.TheGreatGroveBedRace.com. Don’t sleep on it!

The Coconut Grove Bed Race Returns!

The wildly comedic bed race is returning to the streets of Coconut Grove, this time with injury protection on its side. Teaming up with this year's bed race is title sponsor 1-800-411-PAIN, whose attorneys are revved up for trial - timed trials that is. The 1-800-411-PAIN Great Grove Bed Race will take place Labor Day Weekend, with the races starting on Sunday, September 5 at 2pm. Spectators will witness fast paced action and possible "bed-on" collisions.


Prior to Sunday's race, the weekend's festivities will kick off with a Pajama Pub Crawl Saturday, September 4, at 7pm. On-site registration opens at 6pm at Sandbar and Grill in Coconut Grove. Sunday events start with the Ford Motor Company Family Pajama Party, featuring musical performances, face painting, a petting zoo and story telling at 11:30pm at The Bookstore in the Grove. The Pit Row Parade of decorated beds begins at 1pm, followed by a 2pm green flag for the start of the 1/8th-mile Bed Race in the heart of Coconut Grove Village. 


The race involves rolling beds down two village streets (Commodore Plaza and Grand Avenue) in Coconut Grove with the local South Florida community, individuals, businesses, organizations, and clubs sponsoring the beds. Comprised of five-member teams (one rider, four racers), each team will be racing against the clock until the fastest eight (8) beds are determined. Those eight finalists go head-to-head in a race for the top position. Speed earns the ultimate checkered flag, but awards will also be judged on theme, creativity and decor. Similar to last year, the race will begin with a DUI checkpoint for all participants. 


The 1-800-411-PAIN Great Grove Bed Race is produced by the Grove Merchant Group and proceeds benefit s the University of Miami Sleep Program and Alonzo Mourning Foundation Charities. The Grove Merchant Group welcomes visitors and patrons to enjoy the tree- lined streets of Coconut Grove while branding the neighborhood as an attractive and viable village. For additional information visit, www.thegreatgrovebedrace.com