Last year’s Bed Derby in Zelienople had a low turnout, but the borough will take another go at the event this year — after learning from last year and adjusting accordingly.

The first such event was held Aug. 13 in the morning. The turnout was low, with only three beds in multiple races, Mayor Thomas Oliverio said in our coverage of the recent announcement of the second race.

The mayor had proposed the activity last summer after discovering the practice of bed races while visiting his daughter in Wisconsin.

Amid the race, a number of team members will push their bed through an obstacle course, and others will sit on the bed itself. Competitors can decorate their bed however they like, and can compete for a “best decorated” prize along with a prize for best time on the course.

Oliverio hopes to have 10 beds at this year’s competition. Proceeds for the derby are donated to the Zelienople Area Public Library.

We’re hopeful that the borough can reach its goal for this event. We’d love to see that event grow.

It’s great to see places like Zelienople trying new things, and maybe more importantly, making a change and trying again when things don’t first go as planned.

This year’s race will be held on a Thursday night instead of a Saturday morning, for instance. On Thursday evenings, the borough has its Open Air markets, so we are curious to see how those two events will coincide.

The second annual Bed Derby is set for July 6. To get the details on participating in the derby, call the Zelienople Area Public Library at 724-452-9330.

Again, we applaud the borough for going back to the drawing board and taking another swing at this local event.

— TL