April 28, 2019. Louisville, KY. – Beds aren’t for sleeping during Derby Week, they’re for racing! On Monday, April 29, beds on wheels will hit the racetrack in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Bed Races. 40 teams are expected to participate in the zany race around a figure-eight course at Broadbent Arena.
The theme of the 30th annual event is “Pegasus Power,” and to match the theme, competitors are encouraged to decorate their beds and wear costumes based on their favorite super heroes.
The dormitory area will be staged outside Broadbent Arena. Bed racing fans are invited to come out early at 4 p.m. and join the tailgate party. The participating teams will have an opportunity to showcase their costumes and bed in a pre-race parade around the racing surface, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The first heat begins at 7 p.m. Admission is a 2019 Pegasus Pin.
The races feature two 600-feet divisions – the Fun Division and the Champions Division. Teams also compete for prizes for fastest times and most outrageous costumes and decorations. Prizes will be awarded to the teams with the three fastest times, as well as awards for the “Cone Eater,” “Best Decorated Bed,” and “Most Entertaining.” Winners will also be invited to appear in the Pegasus Parade on Thursday, May 2.
Contributing Sponsors of the Great Bed Races are Drexel Metals, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 369, Safelite AutoGlass and Zaxby’s, along with Official Furniture Partner Ashley Home Store and Media Sponsors 107.7 The Eagle. Broadcast special on WAVE 3 NEWS.
About Kentucky Derby Festival: Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
