Bed derby brings fun, fundraising to Zelienople
ZELIENOPLE — The bed derby, since its 2022 debut in Zelienople, has only grown bigger.
The 4th Zelienople Bed Derby took place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26, on High Street.
Mayor Thomas Oliverio knew he had to start a bed derby back home after first coming across the race while visiting family in Wisconsin five years ago.
“It’s a fun thing to do, especially for kids. I do a lot for senior citizens, for veterans, businesses and so forth, but I don’t get the opportunity to do that much for teenagers here in Zelienople. I thought that (a bed derby) would just be a good thing to do for them,” Oliverio said.
Nine teams, representing a variety of themes and groups, competed through a 300-yard obstacle course for the fastest time. Each team consisted of four bed pushers and one rider.
Obstacles included building a pyramid with cups, playing cornhole, making jelly sandwiches, running a circle around the bed and chugging juice, before finally closing at the finish line.
Spectators were able to vote for the best decorated bed by buying any amount of $1 tickets worth one vote each.
“The world is crazy today and I want to bring some laughter and fun and just have a good time,” Oliverio said. “That’s what tonight is all about. I want people to leave here with a smile on their face.”
Cyndi Peluso, library director for Zelienople Area Public Library, said the derby race aims to pitch in to support the library.
“All of our fundraising goes into our operational expenses, so it helps to get more books and to actually support programs within the library,” Peluso said.
First time participants John Bielewicz of Harmony and Greg Davidson of Beaver, representing Team Barbie, decided to partake in the race to support the community while also enjoying a night out with friends, Bielewicz said.
“Zelienople and Harmony are great places to be a part of, whether it’s the Fourth of July parade or the summer concerts they do,” Bielewicz said. “Just great to be part of the community.”
Bielewicz said the team’s Barbie themed bed was originally welded and put together by his father-in-law.
Other teams found the race to be a way to express creativity. A team representing Stout PGH, a mixed martial arts gym, built their bed in just one day.
Alex Hudic, lead instructor at Stout PGH’s Zelienople branch, said Hudic’s initial background in graphic design and branding came in use for creating the bed. Spare steel, wheels from harbor freight and an old bed frame came together to comprise the team’s ride for the derby.
“We were thinking Mario Kart when we put it together,” Hudic said.
What’s good about the bed derby, Peluso said, is that it truly brings out the community.
“People of all ages — children, adults, anyone — can come to the bed race,” he said.
Oliverio said he wants the bed derby to grow even more, with people from Pittsburgh and other communities participating as well.
“This is not just for Zelienople. It’s for everybody,” Oliverio said. “If we have competitions with people from other communities, that’s great. The key here is to have fun.”
-
Team Barbie races in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Zelienople Police races in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Beach Boys took first place in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Isaiah Shaffer from team Stout PGH races around the bed during the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Stout PGH races in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Veterans races in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
A member of Zelienople Police plays cornhole in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
A member of Team Armstrong tries to make a jelly sandwich in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Stout PGH rstacks cups in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Stout PGH stacks cups in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
A member of Team Barbie chugs an orange drink in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Bella Eury rides in the team Stout PGH bed during the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Stout PGH races in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Isaiah Shaffer from team Stout PGH chugs an orange drink during the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Veterans races in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Zelienople Police races in fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Zelienople Police races in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Team Veterans races in the fourth annual Zelienople Bed Derby on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
