Route 66 in Arizona

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.

Oatman, Arizona, a living ghost town on old Route 66, is holding several events to usher in the holiday season.  Oatman is about 32 miles southwest of Kingman.

On Saturday, November 29, there will be a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00pm.  During the day there will be wagon rides, a town-wide open house and a book sale at the Glory Hole.  Businesses will also be open later, until 9:00pm.

On Saturday, December 6, there will be a Christmas Parade starting at 2:00pm.  The parade will begin at the Oatman post office and will end at the horse stables located south of town.  There will also be a bake sale and games that begin at 10:00am.  Also on December 6, the winners of the bush-decorating contest that began on November 1 will be announced.

Gunfighters will be on hand throughout both days performing staged gunfights on the town’s main street.  Oatman’s resident burros will also be roaming the streets looking for handouts.  Bring your own carrots to feed the burros, or purchase them from many of the merchants along Main Street.