Participants dressed as Minions run around the bed at one of the stations during the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday June 27. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
ZELIENOPLE — About 15 decorated beds were guided by their riders along an obstacle course Thursday on South High Street for the third annual Zelienople Bed Derby.
Started in 2022, the Zelienople event has drawn large crowds since its inception, with this year’s turnout being their biggest yet. The tradition started after Mayor Thomas Oliviero visited his daughter in Wisconsin, where he saw a bed race.
Among the bed race participants were NatuRoll Creamery, the Zelienople Police Department and local politicians including state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, and his opponent in the upcoming election, Kate Lennen. The event featured returning participants such as the Evans City Lions Club, and new competitors as well.
“It’s like a different kind of interesting race,” Butler resident Arielle Hindman said. She was competing for the first time with the American Cowgirls team.
Attendees could purchase tickets for $1 to vote for “best bed.” Before the event began, the participants displayed their beds along the street for attendees to see and vote on which bed design they liked the best. Vogel’s bed won the “best bed” competition.
“It’s just a nice event,” Zelienople resident Molly Notbohm said. It was her third time attending the event.
“The competition is going to be powerful,” Oliviero said in an address to the crowd.
And powerful it was.
The race took off at 6:30 p.m. with an obstacle course. The challenges included peeling an orange, stacking cups, and parallel parking the beds.
At the event’s conclusion, the winners of the race were announced. NatuRoll came in first place, Armstrong Zoomers came in second place, and the Veterans Breakfast Group in Zelienople came in third place.
“I’m tickled pink,” Mayor Oliviero said when talking about the Veterans Breakfast Group winning third place. “We had a lot of fun. We had a great turnout.”
The proceeds from the event benefit the Zelienople Area Public Library.
Kate Lennen, who is running for state senate, shows her excitement during the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
NatuRoll Creamery participants chugs a drink at one of the stations during the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
The Armstrong Zoomers almost tip their bed as they parallel park at one of the stations during the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Susan Vogel shows her excitement riding in the State Sen. Elder Vogel bed during the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Scouts BSA Troop 457 in Zelienople salute the American flag during the national anthem before the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Team NatuRoll celebrates after winning the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Dressed as a Minion, Steve Harrison drinks the lemonade at one of the stations during the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
State Sen. Elder Vogel’s bed shoots out confetti during the national anthem before the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
NatuRoll breezes thru the obstacles during the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Dressed as a Minion, Steve Harrison drinks the lemonade at one of the stations during the Zelienople Bed Derby on South High Street in Zelienople on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
