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!