Zelie Bed Derby raises over $500 for library
After two hours of bed-derby racing in the sweltering sun Thursday, 11 teams helped raise over $500 for the Zelienople Area Public Library.
“I’m glad we had a good turnout — I was counting on a real good turnout — it worked out really well,” said mayor and organizer Tom Oliviero. “Eleven beds, it was fantastic, and I’m looking forward to next year.”
Spectators packed South High Street to watch teams of four push their bed and rider down a grueling obstacle course in the second annual Zelienople Bed Derby.
Along the way, teams were challenged to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chug a Marburger milk carton, peel an orange and spin around their bed — all while weaving between cones and racing the clock.
Ian Maloney, 11, participating with Boy Scout Troop 457, said that “sweat” was the real challenge.
“Whenever I tried to open that milk carton, I couldn’t,” Ian said. “I was too slippery.”
After losing last year when an officer struggled to peel an orange, Sgt. Sean Adomaitis said the department “did work on (their) orange-peeling skills.”
“We were definitely quicker this year,” Adomaitis said.
Tess Weaver, rider for The Bed-Wetters, said her teams biggest challenge was tossing water balloons into the cheering crowd and “maneuvering.”
“We knocked over a couple cones,” she said, laughing, “and I think one of the tables.”
After a second round between finalists, the massive crowd and tired riders gathered their personalized beds around the public library.
Amy Marcinkiewicz, district judge, announced the winner of the Most Creative Bed first.
“Thank you so much everybody was coming tonight,” Macinkiewicz said. “I mean, I was here last year and there were what? Three beds. This year — so many more — everything was phenomenal, it was great, everything was decorated so wonderfully.”
Most Creative Bed was awarded to Karski and Spokane Orthodontics for their Tooth Fairy bed.
“It’s just so fun to be a part of the community, and a lot of our employees live around here,” Missy Karski said, dressed as the Tooth Fairy.
Seth Prentice, emcee for the evening, then announced the bed derby’s winners to thunderous applause.
“And now, our top three: in third place, we have Armstrong,” Prentice said. “In second place, the Veterans Breakfast Club of Zelienople.
“And No. 1 in our hearts and No. 1 here today — the Fire and Rescue Squad.”
Mark Nickl, rider for the Gibsonia-based Fire and Rescue Squad, said he couldn’t have done it without his team.
“It was all good, it was a lot of fun — definitely a lot of fun,” Nickl said. “This is what it’s all about: everybody getting together and having a good time.”
Nicole Sloka, director of the Zelienople Public Library, said the donations and funds received from the derby would support planned renovations at the library.
“The inside hasn’t been renovated in over 30 years,” she said.
Additionally, she said the library is looking into building a pavilion and garden at the location.
“It’s all about more community space,” Sloka said.
Win or lose, the second annual Zelienople Bed Derby was a day of smiles, cheers and community.
Dressed in a fuzzy lion costume, Carly Ferfence — rider for the Evans City Lions Club — considered the event a success.
“All that matters is that we had fun,” Ferfence said.
As a storm rolled in to close out the evening, Oliviero addressed the gathered crowd.
“This is a dream that I had for years, and I just think it was something we could all do together — families and all,” he said. “It turned out to be very successful, and I hope each year this will grow more and more.
“Thank you so much for coming tonight.”
