Long Lake Parks & Recreation Brings Bed Races Back for America’s 250th Celebration

After a ten-year hiatus, the Town of Long Lake Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department successfully revived one of the community’s most beloved traditions as the July 4, 2026 Bed Races returned to Main Street as part of Long Lake’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Planning for the event began in February 2026. Once the necessary permits were secured, the Parks & Recreation Department turned its focus toward promotion, recruiting teams, coordinating logistics, designing the race format, developing safety procedures, and organizing volunteers. While spectators eagerly anticipate the Bed Races each year, recruiting teams is often the biggest challenge. Each team consists of a minimum of five racers—four pushing and one riding—willing to build a bed and race it down Main Street in pursuit of bragging rights and the championship trophy.

Six teams ultimately accepted the challenge, racing decorated beds along a two-tenths of a mile course from the Long Lake Bridge to the Long Lake Town Beach. NYS Route 30 was closed from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to safely accommodate the event.

The success of the Bed Races was made possible through the efforts of Parks and Recreation staff and an outstanding group of volunteers. Volunteer Race Coordinator Trish Hosley served as the event’s de facto Bracket Wrangler and Race Expert, while Molly Irvine and Long Lake Events Assistant Alyssa Smith managed team registrations and check-in. Judges Jules Pierce, Anna Dechene, Adam Zielinski, and Michelle Donnelly scored the Best in Show competition while ensuring racers followed all rules and maintained proper race order throughout the competition.

Competing teams included:

·       US Blues (Cazenovia, NY) — Team Captain Jennie Stowell

·       Easy Rider — Team Captain Karla George

·       Brookside Barkeaters — Team Captain Johnny Seils

·       Till the Wheels Fall Off — Team Captain Jimmy Monaghan

·       High Peaks Fitness — Team Captain Pat St. Onge

·       Log Runners — Team Captain Brittany Olbert

1st Place: Brookside Barkeaters
Ravyn Sotomayor, Griffin Farr, Emmet Groves, Joe Donlon, Johnny Seils

2nd Place: US Blues
Joe Gesner, Joey Diana, Charles Rose, Jennie Stowell, Lillian Corover

3rd Place: Till the Wheels Fall Off
Jimmy Monaghan, Jimmy Monaghan Jr., Tara Sullivan, Brendan Sullivan, Brendan Polsin

Long Lake Events Coordinator Jake Fisch kept the crowd energized throughout the evening, providing both play-by-play and color commentary as the decorated beds thundered down Main Street toward the finish line. Overall event production, permitting, operations, communications, and coordination were directed by Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director Alexandra Verner Roalsvig. Pedestrian safety, racecourse operations, and crowd control were managed by Paul Wilson, Nick Wilson, and Alyssa Smith.

Long Lake Lifeguards Helena Helms, Carrera Lance, and Lily Smith stood ready at the finish line, holding the finish banner as competitors crossed the line.

Traffic control and public safety along the racecourse were provided by the New York State Police and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, ensuring the event proceeded safely for both participants and spectators.

Crowds lined NYS Route 30 with anticipation as the decorated beds thundered toward the finish line. One bed struggled as the wobbly wheels made it difficult to control, crossing the white line and threatening to go out of its proper lane. It eventually crossed the finish line, but was disqualified.

The Bed Races had not been held since 2016, making this year’s event the first in a decade.

When asked why the Town chose to revive the event after ten years, Roalsvig replied, “We knew America’s 250th birthday was coming, and we wanted to make it an extra-special celebration.”

Following the success of this year’s event, the Town of Long Lake Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department looks forward to continuing the Bed Race tradition in 2027.