Stopping a rolling bed to perform a task and getting it rolling again brings Newton's First Law, aka Law of Inertia, into play.
THIRD ANNUAL EVENT BECOMING A CAMPUS TRADITION
Local communities encouraged to enter teams
Noon, Saturday, October 1, Lower Parking Lot, Athletics Center
THE CLARKS ON STAGE
5:00-7:00 p.m.
It hasn't attained the global preeminence of the "Running of the Bulls" in Pamplona, but the "running of the beds" in Upper Burrell is on its way in gaining legendary status at Penn State New Kensington.
The third annual Bed Race at the campus is set for noon on Saturday, Oct.1 in the lower parking lot adjacent to the Athletics Center. Believed to be the first of its kind at a Penn State campus, the race is a part of the campus' Fall Festival. The competition features five-person teams (four pushers, one rider) who navigate a rolling bed over a measured course while performing tasks at various stations along the way. A series of timed heats culminates with the championship run at 3 p.m. In addition, judges will award prizes in various categories including wackiest design and best theme.
Last year, the student team of Alex Baker, Dasia King, Bailie Guida, Tyler Borgoyne, and Abby Evanuik, outmaneuvered 13 competitors to capture the coveted title and earn campus bragging rights. The field included an "experienced" team comprised of campus Advisory Board members who missed qualifying for the quarter-finals by four seconds. Nonetheless, their gallant effort garnered them a theme category award for "Most Spirited."
Alumni, community and student groups are encouraged to enter a team. Beds will be provided. Registration is free for high school and college students and $25 for non-student teams. Other Penn State campuses, local high schools, and regional higher education institutions are welcome to compete. Deadline for registration is September 21. For more information, contact Danielle DeStefano at 724-334-6019 or dnd125@psu.edu via e-mail.
The bed race is the afternoon highlight of the Fall Festival that is geared to local residents, as well as students and alumni. Activities for the young, old and those in between will be spread out on the campus' 72 acres and run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. All events are free to the public. Activities include food vendors, crafts, car cruise, kids zone, and wing cook-off.
Alumni also will have their time in the sun, or rather in the tent. Dubbed Alumni Central, the tent will serve as the main venue for the Penn State-Indiana football game on TV and as a social meeting place for alumni and the campus community. Friends of Penn State are welcome to join in the alumni activities. For more about alumni activities, contact Bill Woodard at (724) 334-6046 or uxw1@psu.edu via e-mail.
The festival reaches its crescendo in the early evening with a free outdoor concert by the Clarks in the Athletics Center parking lot. An iconic Pittsburgh rock band for more than 20 years, the Clarks will be performing at the campus for the second consecutive year when they take the stage at 5 p.m. Two bands to be announced will open for the Clarks at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Katie Shoemaker, interim activities coordinator, at 724-334-6063 or kis511@psu.edu via e-mail.
For general information about the festival, contact Angie Fisher at 724-334-6062 or arc1@psu.edu via e-mail.
For more about the fall festival and a detailed schedule of events, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/StudentLife/43255.htm online.
For more about the Clarks, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/43923.htm online.
The hill above the parking lot is the perfect spot to see what teams make the best use of external force to overcome Newton's laws of motion.