Cloverdale Bed Races

The Cloverdale Bed Races started in 1977 as a publicity stunt to build enthusiasm for the start of the annual Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair. The original race was between the volunteer Cloverdale Fire Department and the local RCMP. This fun and colourful event has grown and is sponsored by the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition, the Cloverdale BIA and Elements Casino and happens each year on 176A Street in historic downtown Cloverdale.

The Bed Race event starts with a demonstration from participants of the World Free Style Round-Up Skateboard Championships which are also performing at the Fairgrounds during the Cloverdale Rodeo. A number of world class skateboarders show off their amazing skills! www.theworldroundup.com

Following the Skateboard demonstration is a Western themed Bike Parade, where kids show off their creations to the crowd and return to the main stage for a number of randomly drawn prizes including $100 gift certificates provided by local businesses.

The main event is an elimination-style Bed Race where heats run in six categories (men, women, media and mixed) until a winner is declared. The prizes for the winners of each division are just as quirky as the race itself: the winners of the men’s race receive the coveted Bed Pan trophy, the women’s division competes for the Chamber Pot and the media division go after the Stone Pig prize. There are also prizes for the best-dressed team. The men’s team consists of six men who push the bed with a lady on it. A women’s team consists of six ladies who push the bed with a man on it. A mixed/media team can be a mixture of six women and men, plus a rider, but the team must have at least two women pushers to qualify. A mixed team will consist of six pushers, at least three of which must be women and a rider of choice.