United Way Bed Race 2024!

Saturday, October 12, 2024   

700 Block of Main Street in Lancaster, SC

2:00  Team and Bed Check-in 

3:00 Parade of Beds, Races immediately following

The United Way Bed Race pits 5 person teams racing beds down Main Street to claim bragging rights for one of Lancaster County’s favorite traditions!  United Way of Lancaster County brings back the Bed Race, and rivalries are as strong as ever.  Each team uses 1 driver and 4 racers to get their bed under the checkered flag before everyone else.  Beds may be simple, streamlined and strong for the speed division, or they can be decorated as fabulously as your imagination can create for the Fun Prix.  This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Bedtime Adventure” and beds will be decorated to the (family friendly) bedtime story of your choice!

Either way we are sure to have a great day of fun! 

Get your team together and start training and creating, or just come enjoy this great community event as we Lead the Way.   

Teams can compete in the following divisions:

Fun Prix!:  

• Decorated beds, music, and costumed runners- themed to the (family friendly) bedtime story of your choice
• Bed provided with registration, pickup 1-2 weeks before competition to decorate (teams DO NOT have to make a bed!)
• Check in between 2:00 and 2:30, Parade of Beds begins at 3:00
• 1 rider with a helmet, 4 pushers
• 1^st and 2^nd place race winners recognized.
• Prizes for “best in show” for the theme, picked by judges
• Teams eligible for People’s Choice Award based on dollar votes collected in the days before the race and at the event
• Registration fee of $150 per team, Bed Race Merch provided for 5 team members

Competitive:  

• Streamlined, undecorated beds, costumes not required, but encouraged
• Bed provided with registration, trial runs day of the event (teams DO NOT have to make a bed!)
• Check in between 2:00 and 2:30, Parade of Beds begins at 3:00
• 1 rider with a helmet, 4 pushers
• 1^st and 2^nd place race winners recognized
• Teams eligible for People’s Choice Award based on dollar votes collected in the days before the race and at the event
• Registration fee of $150 per team, Bed Race Merch provided for 5 team members

All teams competing in any contest are also eligible to win the People’s Choice Award, the coveted award voted on by Bed Race fans!  Teams collect votes via donations in the days leading up to and during Race Day, we'll have an online platform to make it easy for you.  The team with the most votes (dollars) gets the award.  All money raised through the People’s Choice Award will benefit programs of the United Way.

#LiveUnitedLCSC   #BackAndBedderThanEver

You've Got Questions?  We've Got Answers!

What in the world is a “Bed Race”?

The Bed Race started in the 1990s using donated hospital beds.  These beds were decorated and customized by teams and then strutted down the race way in a festive parade celebrating community before competing in 100-yard races on Main Street.  The race grew in number and in creativity and drew great crowds of supporters for about 20 years, but then took a break.  Today, the Bed Race has all of the strengths and celebrations of those early events, but with modifications for today’s competitors.  There will be very few actual “beds” raced, but modern-day vehicles are designed to mimic beds and are modified for safety and personalization.  The community spirit and excitement (and the trash-talking!) are the same, and we are excited to connect our sponsors and our neighbors for a day of spirited competition, all to support the work of the United Way of Lancaster County.

And what is up with all the things- car décor, music, theme, engineering, and team costumes? 

This is the fun part!  We will pick a theme and YOU get to take it as far as you want to represent this year's theme of Once Upon a Bedtime Adventure! a "nod" to our favorite bedtime stories.  You can add removable decorations to your car frame, pick out music, get your whole team dressed up!  Remember that there are prizes for all of these things, so you want to go all out.  If you need ideas you can check out our Pinterest Page (UWLCSC) for more ideas!

Will I get a T-Shirt for my registration?

We'll have epic and exclusive Bed Race Merch for each of the 5 people on your team!

How do I build a bed for the Bed Race?

Guess what, you don’t have to!  Your registration fee includes a bed.  Follow us on FB to see dates and times for pickup and get it ready to win with your "stylizing" for our theme.  If you are only entering the competitive division, you can show up ready to race, we’ll have the beds all set when you get there.

I just want to see all this craziness. Do I have to register?

There is no registration or ticket charge for spectators, this is such a fun day and we want you and your family to come!  There are lots of grassy places to sit and watch, or to stand and cheer. We will have a golf-cart parade, bouncy houses, food trucks on site for snacks, fun photo stops, and our nonprofit Partner Agencies will be there to let you know what they do for our community.   This will be THE PLACE for fun this fall! 

How do I sign up my team?  

All registration information can be found on this page, and you can ask questions by giving us a call at 803-283-8923.