PINK OUT PARTY HELD AT ANNUAL DERBY WEEK TRADITION
April 28, 2025. Louisville, KY. – Bed racing fans filled the stands at Broadbent Arena tonight for the Kentucky Derby Festival’s 36th annual Great Bed Races. Samtec returned for the third year as the Title Sponsor of the 2025 event, which featured 50 teams pushing their decorated beds around a figure-eight course, competing for the fastest time. Texas Roadhouse won the Champion’s Division for the second year in a row and Vessels Plumbing Heating & Cooling won the Fun Division.
The theme of this year’s event, “Happy Derby: Pink Out Party” (80’s style), had teams decking out their beds in one of the Derby Festival’s signature colors. Many participants also featured a throwback to the 1980s in their bed designs and décor.
Prizes went to the teams with the three fastest times, as well as for the “Best Decorated Bed,” “Most Entertaining,” “People’s Choice” and “Cone Eater” categories. Tailgating awards were also given out.
The results of the 36th annual competition:
2025 Results – Champion’s Division:
| Place | Team |
| 1 | Texas Roadhouse |
| 2 | Best-One Louisville |
| 3 | Samtec |
2025 Results – Fun Division:
| Place | Team |
| 1 | Vessels Plumbing Heating & Cooling |
| 2 | Pace Contracting |
| 3 | ZEON |
- Best Decorated Bed: ZEON – (Pink television playing MTV, including the iconic theme song and music videos).
- Most Entertaining: Rubbies Southside Grill & Bar (Featuring a “Grease” theme complete with the Pink Ladies, T-Birds and a white Cadillac convertible).
- People’s Choice Award: UA Local 502
- Cone Eater Award: LG&E
A Tailgate Party took place before the Samtec Great Bed Races and winners of the Tailgate Awards include: SERVPRO won the Drink of Tailgate Award, and Best-One Louisville was given the Taste of Tailgate Award.
First held in 1990 on the cobblestone streets of downtown Louisville in Theatre Square as “Bedlam in the Streets,” the event exploded in popularity. Now in its 36th year, it continues to attract participants from small local businesses to five-man teams from large corporations.
The Great Bed Races are sponsored by Samtec. Contributing Sponsors: Kentucky Venues, Louisville Paving & Construction, Snap-on and UA Local 502 Apprenticeship Program. Official Health Partner: Baptist Health ER & Urgent Care. Official Finish Line Sponsor: Texas Roadhouse. Official Broadcast Partner: WAVE. Media Sponsor: Classic Rock 107.7.
