Vanilla Ice To Reign Supreme At Annual Grove Bed Race

MIAMI (CBS4) – It'll be bedlam in Coconut Grove this weekend at the annual Great Grove Bed Race and this year, the Grand Marshal will be long time Miami resident and rapper, musician and actor Vanilla Ice.

Ice, aka Robert Van Winkle, met the media Tuesday at a press conference at the Peacock Garden Café along with Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado.

Ice told the crowd how he loves Coconut Grove and used to skateboard around the village when he was younger.

Previous Grand Marshal's included famed fast-trackers and Indy Car legends Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan.

The bed racing tradition goes back 3 decades. Teams consist of five members with four racers and one rider hitched to the headboard. Speed wins, of course, but additional awards will be given for theme, creativity and décor. Proceeds from the craziness benefit a good cause — Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade.

The bedlam begins Sept. 3 with the Pajama Pub Crawl through participating bars and restaurants. The next day, Sept. 4, is race day starting with Kids Storytelling Time, the Waiters/Waitresses Obstacle Course, a Pit Row Parade of decorated beds on display, and finally the 1/8th-mile madness through the heart of the Grove. Afterwards, merchants will host a post-race celebration with live music and interactive exhibits.

If you want to race, you must register at www.TheGreatGroveBedRace.com.

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