UPDATE Aug. 31, 2013: Officials in charge of the Bed Races made a decision in favor of public safety. Bed Races scheduled for 11AM Saturday are canceled because the track is too wet & the rain too unpredictable. The Jaycees are grateful to bed racers who signed up and volunteers who showed up to help! Thanks to all! Tough call.
The Naperville Bed Races have been retired more than once.
After their first hiatus, the Naperville Bed Races returned as a special attraction during Naper Days back in 2004. Then when Naper Days took another break in the action to begin Naper Nights, the Naperville Jaycees added the crowd-pleasing bed races to their line up of special events on the Saturday morning of Last Fling.
No matter what group organizes the race, the themed bed racers come engineered with wheels in all shapes and sizes. Teams of pushers wear crazy costumes to complement the theme. And there’s no time for sleep walking when cheering fans line up by bales of hay along Porter Avenue behind Naper Settlement to egg on the competition one heat at a time.
Bed racers wanted!
These days, two of the constant bed-racing competitors are Nuns on the Run and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce South TEAM. Both teams have won some and lost some.
Currently, Nuns on the Run are defending champs.
PN has photographed the event for a decade and recently went back in the files to find photos in an attempt to inspire some more participation in this year’s competition.
Jeffrey Ross, Co-Director of the 2013 Bed Races, said bed racers can register up until 10AM Sat., Aug. 31. The race begins at 11AM, weather permitting.
“Safety is always our top priority, but just about anything goes,” said Ross, when asked about the specifications.
The basic bed racing team
A team is comprised of five people, four pushers and one passenger on the bed. The passenger must wear protective headgear during the race.
A twin-size mattress must be part of the bed racer. Various other rules apply that are available from Ross, but a quick read of the instructions show they are filled with common sense.
Nuns on the Run to defend title
Nuns on the Run from St. Patrick’s Residence have entered the competition to again defend their title. The other night at Cafe Buonaro’s Sister Raphael said she already is geared up for her place in the driver’s seat, right on top.
Ross said the NACC South TEAM wants little more than to win the title back from the Nuns.
“I haven’t heard from some of the old reliables. I’m really hoping they will call and say they’ll be there Saturday before Saturday,” said Ross. “But it’s also OK to just show up in time for the races.”
For everything you want to know about the 2013 Last Fling concert and entertainment line up, visit www.lastfling.org.
Last Fling is the Naperville Jaycees biggest fundraiser. Sponsorships and community support are appreciated to benefit many local projects and charitable causes.
