Every year, a spirited celebrity signs up to take the helm of Coconut Grove's infamously awesome mattress marathon: the Great Grove Bed Race. This year, that celebrity is Miami's own '80s all-star and forever fashion icon, Vanilla Ice.
This is the rapper slash TV star slash DIY king's second installment as Grand Marshal. His 2011 turn was an epic success, and he's coming back for round two on November 8.
Although a bout with the flu forced him to cancel today's press conference, it's full-speed ahead for next week's between-the-sheets shindig.
See also: Flo Rida's Newest Miami Gig: Grand Marshal of the Great Grove Bed Race
Vanilla Ice (aka Robert Matthew Van Winkle) is actually no stranger to speed. He's earned three straight motocross titles at the Grand National Championships -- plus he's been ranked the No. 6 sit-down Jet Ski racer in the world.
Not too shabby.
(Little known fact: Ice Ice Baby was inspired by a weekend in Miami.)
"I'm back to Ice this race and be inspired by new inventions. See if these DIY beds can withstand concrete streets," Ice says in a press release.
City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado and Commissioner Sarnoff will help him judge the best of the beds in next weekend's festivities.
Themed teams will go head-to-head to take first place and earn titles like "Best Décor," "Best Engineered," and "Funniest." Past entries have represented everything from the resurrection of E.T. by (Sapient group) to sword-toting warriors (debtwarriors.com).
In addition to the bed-related bacchanalia, they'll also have a family pajama party, food trucks, live tunes and brews from Concrete Beach Brewery. The shindig is sponsored by DebtWarriors.com.
Plus, proceeds will benefit Little Smiles of Florida, a nonprofit that does good deeds for kids in hospitals, shelters and hospices.
The Bed Race runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd. General admission tickets are $5 for adults, kids 12 and under are free. VIP tickets are $150 and include catering and a bar at the finish line. Visit thegreatgrovebedrace.com.
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