The Bed Races, a longstanding Rhododendron Festival favorite among participants, organizers and spectators, returns yet again this year on Friday, May 17.

The Rhody Fest Bed Races pit teams of five members each against each other, with four people pushing the one person riding their wheeled “bed” down Water Street, from Monroe to Madison streets. This year’s races starting at 6:30 p.m.

The check-in and assembly for the Bed Races is slated to take place at Water and Monroe streets, with registration opening at 5:30 p.m. Judging commences at 6 p.m. in front of the American Legion hall on Water Street.

Contestants must provide their own “beds,” each of which must have its own foam pad or mattress, as well as something that resembles a headboard and a footboard.

The beds’ wheels cannot exceed 12 inches in overall diameter, or three inches in width. Each bed’s rider must weigh at least 100 pounds, and their weight will be checked.

All beds must remain in their assigned lanes throughout the races, and an award will be bestowed on the “Best Decorated” bed, so each participating team is encouraged to pick their own theme.

The organizers of the Bed Races added an important caveat:  Bribing the judges, who are also the Rhody Fest Royalty, is “highly encouraged.” Previous years’ Bed Races have included awards for “Best Bribe,” as well as “Most Spirit.”

COVID compelled the Rhody Fest to declare an intermission on the Bed Races in 2020, when the festival as a whole was called off, and in 2021, when the festival was reduced to an all-encompassing parade.

But with the full return of Rhody Festival festivities in 2022, the Bed Races saw the return of its most loyal participants, among them the longtime powerhouse crew of firefighters from East Jefferson Fire Rescue. They were joined in that year’s pool of competitors by representatives of the Port Townsend Elks and the Vespertine Boutique in downtown PT.