Cloverdale Bed Races to roll again May 13
Published 10:00 pm Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Pamplona may have its famous “Running of the Bulls,” but Cloverdale has its own famous event that is equally well-loved (albeit by smaller numbers): the “Rolling of the Beds.”
The 48th annual Cloverdale Bed Races are set to wheel through downtown Cloverdale May 13. An unofficial kick-off to Rodeo Weekend, this year the beds will roll a day earlier than usual.
Paul Orazietti, the executive director of the Cloverdale BIA, said the 2026 bed races will be slightly different than in previous years.
“We’ve moved it up a day to Wednesday as the rodeo is now opening on Thursday,” Orazietti explained. “We didn’t want to compete with them and they have several other activities going on that would conflict with our event.”
He noted he’s pounded both the pavement and the phones in an effort to promote this year’s race, which he thinks will be bigger and better than ever. He said he’s also added more prizes for the kids.
“And it looks like the weather is going to cooperate.”
Orazietti said teams have already signed up, but there is still room for more. He added registration closes at midnight on May 8.
He noted the “structure” of the race is already in place, security, insurance, etc. Now, it’s about finding some more sponsors and recruiting more teams to roll. He said they’ll have impact barriers up this year—a new requirement for spectator safety. The cost for the barriers runs at about $3,000, but he said that’s been covered for the 2026 race by a donation.
Orazietti said there’ll be some grudge matches between local businesses and associations and he encouraged potential spectators to come down early to soak in the atmosphere.
Some teams dress up and he said the costumes are always topical.
“It’s plain and simple fun.”
The whole event kicks off with bed inspections at 5:30 p.m. followed by the kids’ bike parade after 6 p.m. The first heat is scheduled to roll at approximately 6:25 p.m.
Orazietti said people usually show up at about 5:30 p.m. to grab their spot. Rob Paterson will once again emcee and play music from the stage—the flat deck of a classic truck from the B.C. Vintage Truck Museum.
All of the famous trophies will be on display beforehand on the stage, so race-goers will be able to walk over and see them.
Those trophies include: the Bed Pan, awarded to the winners of the men’s race; the Chamber Pot, awarded to the women’s division winner; the Bill Reid Centre of the Universe trophy, awarded to the winner of the mixed division; and the Stone Pig, awarded to the winner of the “service club” category.
There will be no pre-race entertainment this year. In the past, freestyle skateboarders would entertain the crowds before they competed at the fair over the weekend, but Orazietti said the focus is now firmly on the bike parade and the bed races.
For the bike parade, kids are encouraged to dress up in costumes and decorate their bikes. Randomly drawn prizes will be awarded.
He said the kids are encouraged to decorate they bike in a Western theme, but they can decorate their bike anyway they want.
“I think part of the deal right now is there is a lot of entertainment surrounding the bed races,” he said. “There is activity after the event. There a trike race later at the Legion. So there is a lot going on.”
He said there are two or three hours of activity to be had in the downtown core. He encouraged those in the community and the wider area, to get down to Cloverdale May 13 for the Rolling of the Beds.
“It’s an amazing event that’s had a lot of longevity. In the time I’ve been with (the BIA), the story’s been picked up in Japan and elsewhere. It’s pure fun and people can really see that. It’s a community activity that draws people together. And it’s a great time to see what’s in town.”
For more information, visit cloverdalebia.com.