Hundreds show up to party at Get Rolling Gathering

We were expecting about 50, but over 200 showed up last night for the Great Grove Bed Race's Get Rolling Gathering. Coconut Grove Bank, shown here, had 28 people at the event! And this gave them a lead of 28 inches on Bed Race Day (one inch for each person present at the gathering was the rule).

Lynn Cambest, at the head of the table, Executive VP, CFO and Treasurer at the bank, was telling me how excited they are for the race. They have their bed ready and it's under cover until race day. The Captain's meeting is at Coconut Grove Bank next week, so maybe they'll give us a little peek that night.


Lots of friends were in attendance, it was quite a party. The rooftop pool at the Mayfair Hotel was packed.


Probably the best part was the crew from the Tinker Tank who actually built their bed right on the spot, that's Kevin Sanchez and Jose Abuin, doing just that. There was a large group from Tinker Tank and starting today, they have the "kit" together which you can purchase at Shell Lumber (2733 SW 27 Avenue). It's the bones of the bed. You just show up at Shell and they have the list and they'll grab everything you need and give it to you and you're half way to having your bed done! The kit is $111.00.


Another cool thing last night were the Miami's Vice City Rollers, Miami's first ever Roller Derby League. They are part of the Tinker Tank team and will be racing on Bed Race Day. The girls skated around the pool area and party last night.


Daisy Lewis, coordinator of the Great Grove Bed Race was interviewed on the radio, live. She's really good when it comes to that, she just talks off the top of her head and is very clever. AM 880 The Biz, radio station was broadcasting live through the whole Get Rolling Gathering.


This is Pinky Gomez, #33, from the Roller Derby Team, with me. At right is Steve Henry, from Wells Fargo Bank, he took copious notes on how to build a bed. Word is that Wells Fargo is having a stagecoach bed. Perfect for them!


"Despierta America," the latin Good Morning America, was filming all night. The Univision show has a team in the Bed Race this year. Eric Makin, from the Tinker Tank, was filmed putting the bed together.


The party went well into the night. As the sun went down, everyone signed the Tinker Tank bed, wishing them good luck in September 4th's race. That's what Daisy is doing here.

It's shaping up to be a big race this year. Skip Sanders, from the Sandbar Grill team says that, "The Sandbar girls will maintain the title we guarantee it!" As you may remember, they won the women's division at last year's Great Grove Bed Race.

Will the UM guys run for The Grove Spot again this year? Will the police, the Grove-50 challenge the Oak Street Fire Station? There is still room for a few more beds, anyone can join in, you don't have to be a business, friends can team up and have a bed of their own! The sign up form, rules and everything you need to know is here.