Jan 05 2009
Oatman Bed Races
Oatman is having a bed race. The 19th Annual Great Oatman Bed Races will be held on January 24 in the town of Oatman, Arizona. Oatman is located in the Black Mountains, on old Route 66.
The last time I saw a bed race was when I was in college…a long, long time ago. I didn’t even realize that people still did bed races. I know they were outlawed on my college campus shortly after I graduated because of insurance issues.
If you are not familiar with bed races, well, you are missing out on some crazy fun. Generally, 5-person teams participate, with one person riding in a specially constructed bed, and the other 4 team members guiding the bed through a designated course. At the halfway point of the race, teams have to stop and make up a stationary bed, complete with sheets, comforter or bedspread, and pillows before continuing. While it’s common to have to build your own racing bed for a bed race, beds will be provided for each team that enters the Oatman race.
The Oatman race will take place at 1:30pm on January 24 along Main Street. There will be a Chamber Pot Parade starting at 11:00am, and spectators and participants alike are encouraged to wear pajamas. There will also be a bake sale, a toilet seat toss, and other events during the day. There will also be a burro calling contest.
This sounds like it’s going to be a wild and crazy day in Oatman.
And I thought the Eugene Celebration was odd–this one takes the cake!
Nifty article. You’ve said you saw bed races; did you ever participate in one?
Yeah ravyn, I did participate in them in college too. A couple different times ~ once I was the ‘rider’ and once I was one of the ‘pushers’. My team came in third when I was the rider ~ we failed miserably the other time