Audio By Carbonatix
In Coconut Grove, never a neighborhood to bow to the norm, beds are for more than just sleeping and sex. Once a year, they morph into spectacular speed demons at the Great Grove Bed Race.
Basically, themed teams (often in costume) will dance, run, cheer, and skip their way along South Bayshore Drive as they push a decked-out cot on wheels — all to raise funds for Little Smiles of Florida, a charity that does happy deeds for hospital-bound children.
Best of all, this year’s extravaganza will feature the king of cool holding down the throne: Vanilla Ice will be grand marshal, his second stint in the notable role.
The day-long event will begin with a pajama party in the family zone (complete with trike-racing, obstacle courses, and Nerf gun wars). Then the Parade of Beds will roll at noon, when celeb judges will give nods in categories like Best Décor, Best Engineered, and Funniest — plus attendees get a say with Crowd Favorite.
Also expect food trucks, live tunes, beer from Concrete Beach Brewery, and general bed-related bacchanalia — all G-rated, of course.
The Great Grove Bed Race runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove. General-admission tickets cost $5 for adults; kids 12 and younger get in free. VIP tickets cost $150 and include catering and a bar at the finish line. Visit thegreatgrovebedrace.com.
Sat., Nov. 8, 11 a.m., 2014
