When the beds come marching in

Teenagers allowed to join the fun this year Goshen —They need no pricey gasoline and no oil changes, although a change of sheets might be appropriate. They are the beds that will race down Main Street in the Village of Goshen during the Great American Weekend. The Great American Bed Race, now in its fourth year, will be held on Sunday, July 2, on Park Place as part of the weekend-long festival. This year the minimum age requirement has been lowered to 13 so that school clubs or groups of friends can put together teams to compete with other nonprofit groups for a cash prize of up to $1,000, said Weekend co-chairwoman Liz LaMontanaro. Each team will include five people, one to ride on the bed and four to push. One team member must be at least 18. In addition to trophies for the fastest teams, entrants also compete for recognition in the categories of originality, creativity, and patriotism. In past races, teams adopted Batman, the Jolly Roger Pirates, Cat in the Hat, and Austin Powers themes. This year is the Great American Weekend’s 25th anniversary. Sponsors are the Goshen Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Goshen. The bed races are getting support from Serta Mattress, Furniture Options, and Jerry Hauls It All. “Everything about this year’s festival is going to be extra special,” LaMontanaro said. “We’re trying to honor the 25-year heritage of the event and at the same time continue to introduce bigger and better activities. Everyone will find something appealing about this year’s lineup of events. We expect the bed race to be as hysterical as ever.” Applications for the bed race are now available at Goshen Village Hall on Main Street, Goshen Town Hall on Webster Avenue, the Goshen Public Library on Main Street, Liz’s Place on Green Street, the Goshen Chamber of Commerce office at the Historic Track, and Furniture Options on Route 17M. This year’s schedule for the Weekend has been expanded to include a Saturday night block dance on South Church Street until 10 p.m. and Sunday night’s grand finale concert at the Historic Track featuring Grammy winner Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra. The evening will kick off with an acrobatic exhibition by The Skyriders, and will conclude with a 3-D live laser show. Other popular activities returning to the Weekend include over 150 of the region’s crafters, merchants, antiques vendors, and children’s rides, the International Food Tent, the GAW Rock Wall, hayrides, the 10K/5K race, and continuous entertainment throughout the day on several stages. For more information call the chamber office at 294-7741.