Annual Bed Race to take place this weekend in downtown Springfield

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Interfaith Hospitality Network will hold their annual Bed Race, a fundraiser in which local businesses customize beds to compete in different racing events.

Elaina Bradley, Executive Director Interfaith Hospitality Network, said the fundraiser has three main goals.

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“The first one is to come down into the community and have a free event, the second is to bring awareness to homelessness,” Bradley said. “And the third is to raise funds to help support the emergency homeless shelters so we can help individuals faced with homelessness become self sufficient.”

Businesses are in charge of constructing their own beds for the race.

Rules for the race include:

—Bed must be at least a twin size mattress or larger.

—No air mattresses are allowed.

—Push bars and handles are allowed but must not extend more than 16 inches away from the frame.

—All beds must have four wheels and no steering mechanisms are allowed.

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The event will be held in the downtown core block of Springfield.

“Beds will race around the core block of downtown in teams of five,” Bradley said.

The sixth annual Bed Race will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday. However, Bradley said Interfaith is asking spectators to come downtown starting at 4:30 p.m.

“We’ll open up for live performances and a parade before the event,” Bradley said.

The races will also feature food and beverage ventures, live entertainment and 50/50 raffles in between racing heats. The Kentucky Derby will also be streamed live beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Funding raised by the event will benefit emergency homeless shelters in Springfield and Clark County, Bradley said.

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