Houston, TX • December 2, 2009 Mattress Firm is the official sponsor of the Victorian Bed Race at this year’s 36th annual Dickens on the Strand. Dickens on the Strand is a family festival that takes place in Galveston, TX the first weekend of December. This year’s festival will be held Saturday, Dec 5th and Sunday, Dec 6th. The festivities will begin at 10am on both days and end at 7pm Saturday and 6pm Sunday.
Dickens on the Strand recreates the scenes and era of Charles Dickens 19th Century London cityscape. Hundreds of costumed vendors and performers provide a look at the pomp and pageantry of the British Empire during a time when commercial and cultural ties provided a strong connection between London and Texas’ then, largest and richest city, Galveston. The festival includes parades, non-stop entertainment on the festival’s stages, plus strolling carolers, and roving street musicians, bagpipers and entertainers. (www.galvestonhistory.org)
The Victorian Bed Race, which takes place on December 6th at 1:00pm, is the newest attraction of the Dickens Festival. Teams will dress in period attire and race beds down Mechanic Street. Prizes will be awarded to the team with the fastest time, the best decorated bed, and to the People’s Choice Award – for $1, patrons to the festival may cast a vote for their favorite bed. Half of the proceeds will benefit the Galveston Historical Foundation and the other half will be donated to the charity chosen by the first place winners.
Teams will consist of 5 members; one rider and four pushers. The rider will dress in a nightcap and nightgown and lie in the mattress while the other team members push the bed. Pushers are encouraged to decorate themselves to match the theme of their bed; which should reflect the festival, holidays or Charles Dickens’ characters. Interested participants and spectators can view full details by visiting the Dickens on the Strand festival website at www.galvestonhisotry.org.
Steve Stanger, President and COO of Mattress Firm expressed his excitement about the partnership, “Mattress Firm is not just a company founded here in Houston; Mattress Firm is a part of the community. When the opportunity to sponsor the Victorian Bed Races presented itself, we felt it was a perfect way to interact with thousands of our neighbors here in the greater Houston/Galveston area. We are excited about the opportunity to be involved in such a historical and family friendly event in our own backyard.”
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