A Year Without Bed Races? With Few Participants, Cancellation Looms

For years, the annual bed races have been a colorful part of the Apple Harvest Festival as decorated beds streak down the street near the Southington Town Green with the hopes of winning the top prize. The races may not happen this year, however, unless more residents step up to take part.

The bed races for Saturday, Sept. 29, have already been cancelled and unless there are additional participants who sign up this week, there may be no race this year, organizers said Tuesday evening.

“If we can get at least two more beds, the race will be rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 6,” said Al Monbaron. “This is a great event and it would be a shame if it did not take place. (We encourage people to) remember there are cash awards for the top three places as well as a trophy to the first place team.”

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The bed races have been a popular tradition for years, usually drawing more than a dozen participants and hundreds of spectators to witness the pandemonium. But participation is waning.

Participants are simply asked to decorate a bed based on the annual theme – the 2012 Apple Harvest Festival Theme is “Ripe with Possibilities” – and enjoy the fun. Monbaron said the town has typically had a great response before this year.

Want more information on the bed races? Click the link to visit the official page as part of the Apple Harvest Festival website.

The competition also dwindled in 2011, with eight racers scheduled to compete and only six able to actually take part in the competition. The turnout remained large, however, as onlookers lined the streets to see the runaway beds.

Led by Leonard Marcheselle, the event was considered a success.

In order for the races to work this year, however, organizers need your help. Why not have a little fun and take part in the annual competition?

For more information, contact Leonard Marcheselle at (860) 621-3792. or visit the Apple Harvest Festival page on the Southington town website.

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