NEWBURYPORT — Some raced to win, and others were content just to unveil their highly creative costumes and decorations. But all those who competed in yesterday's Lions Club Annual Yankee Homecoming Bed Race down Federal Street had a blast.
Among those seeking speed over spectacle was the second team of bed racers from Simply Sweet in downtown Newburyport, which finished with the winning time of 1 minute, 5 seconds.
But perhaps the bed that drew the most attention was the entry from Anna Jaques Hospital-affiliated Women's Health Care, which raced down Federal Street pushing a bed with a rat's head on the front frame and a tail in back.
Every few yards, the team of medical professionals stopped and flashed open their long trench coats to "expose" their I Support Anna Jaques Hospital T-shirts to a boisterous crowd lining both sides of the street.
In all, a record 22 teams — including businesses, foundations and church groups — competed in what has become one of the signature events of Homecoming.
Teams assembled near the top of Federal Street near High Street and raced down one at a time. A group of judges awaited the competitors at the finish line about one-quarter mile away next to The Tannery Marketplace at the corner of Liberty Street.
Bed entries had to adhere to the rules of the race. Beds needed to be of sturdy construction and standard dimensions. Homemade beds were acceptable as long as they looked like real beds. No more than five people could push the bed, and one person had to be riding at all times.
There were a few anxious moments halfway during the roughly two-hour event when a lady was knocked to the ground after one of the teams lost control of its bed near the finish line. Newburyport police officer Edward Rice, who provided a motorcycle escort for each team, checked on the woman, who was smiling and apparently none the worse for wear.
Rice, who is retiring from the Police Department in September after several decades in uniform, seemed to be having a great time, as well, drawing momentous rounds of applause as he drove back and forth along Federal Street. Kids on both sides of Federal Street extended their hands, hoping Rice would give them high fives.
Other colorful teams included the first Simply Sweet crew, which featured a Boston Bruins Stanley Cup motif. Another creative bed came from the Newburyport Education Foundation, which had school Superintendent Marc Kerble dressed as Superman as its passenger.
But it was the Women's Health Care team that arguably drew the most applause as they spoofed months of union protests from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103. The electrical union has been a fixture in downtown Newburyport for months, protesting Anna Jaques Hospital's decision to hire nonunion electrical workers as part of its $15 million renovation project.
"We're proud to be a part of Anna Jaques Hospital, and we wanted to show our support," said one of the flashers, Dr. Susan Newhouse.
Another woman, dressed in a suspicious-looking raincoat, was Dr. Becky Boyer, who called the rat bed a quirky and fun idea. She added that it was important to let the community know that Women's Health Care, among others, was disgusted by the union's bullying tactics.
The Women's Health Care team's efforts were applauded not only by the crowd of spectators, which numbered at least 1,000, but several members of Citizens In Support of Anna Jaques Hospital. The group's founder, Michael Roy, was among the supporters lining the street.
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