April 26, 2021. Louisville, KY. – Beds aren’t for sleeping during Derby Week, they’re for racing! Today, beds on wheels will hit the racetrack in the Ashley HomeStore Kentucky Derby Festival Great Bed Races. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, this year’s event is not open to the public, only to participants. Bed racing coverage will be broadcast live on WAVE 3 News throughout the afternoon and evening.

The theme of the annual event is “Sweet Dreams,” and to match the theme, competitors are encouraged to decorate their beds and wear costumes based on their favorite desserts, candies, and sweets.

This year’s bed racing course will be staged outside the Kentucky Expo Center near the site of the Old Cardinal Stadium. The participating teams will have an opportunity to showcase their costumes and bed in a pre-race parade beginning at 6:00 p.m. The bed racing begins at 7 p.m.

This year the course is brand new, with a drag race format! The races feature two 600-feet divisions – the Fun Division and the Champions Division. Prizes will be awarded to the teams with the three fastest times, as well as awards for the “Cone Eater,” “Best Decorated Bed,” and “Most Entertaining.”

Ashley HomeStore is the Title Sponsor of the Great Bed Races, joining Contributing sponsors Drexel Metals, Kentucky Venues and Texas Roadhouse, and Media Sponsors 107.7 The Eagle. Official Broadcast Partner is WAVE 3 News.

Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.