Bed races, beard and mullet contests are highlights of final day of Ripley Reunion

Hundreds of people gathered for the final day of the Ripley Reunion, Monday afternoon, highlighted by the bed races in downtown Ripley, and the beard and mullet contests in the beer gardens.

A massive crowd lined the streets as teams grabbed their fancy and strangely-rigged beds and took them for a run, with auctioneer Johnny Murray doing the announcing.

Sixteen teams took part, starting at the corner of Huron and Jessie Streets and racing to the four-way stop before heading east the finish line.

Winner of the event, was the “Barn Find” team of Tanner Smith, Evan John, Carter Snobelen, Colban Liddle and rider Ashley Snow, who defeated the long-standing champs, “Speed Queen.”



A huge crowd turns out for the Ripley Reunion bed races, with Team Run Like the Winded dashing ahead of The Dream Team, in downtown Ripley

Prior to the bed races, some wee competitors took part in the Baby Crawl, followed by the Cozy Coupe Race for Kids, held just east of the main intersection.

Later in the afternoon, Murray was back on stage announcing the beard-growing and mullet competitions.

Hayden Houston, 7, of Ripley won the junior mullet contest over five other entries, while Owen Farrell won the senior contest, against five competitors, including Murray Lotton and his two sons, Noah and Curtis.

About a dozen men entered the beard-growing contest, with Wayne Fleming taking the win for the longest beard, measured at six inches in length; Jordan Ball winning for the bushiest; Harold Keelan for best-groomed; Joe Van Sickle for most colourful; and Kyle Kortegaard for best effort.

Murray then took bids for those who wanted the right to shave off the winning beards, raising almost $2,500, followed by the clipping of those five beards.

The Ripley Reunion flag, featuring thousands of signatures of those attending the reunion, was auctioned off for $5,650. The funds raised will be put toward an award in memory of Quinn Martyn.

Reunion chairman Matt Farrell thanked everyone for making this such a great weekend.

“Thanks to my committee for doing so much work but thanks to all of you for being here and being part of this event,” he said. “This is the best community in the whole world!”

The reunion wrapped up with a dance by “Lulu’s Band,” and an amazing fireworks display.



Dawson Elmes of Kincardine leads the pack in this Cozy Coupe Race for Kids at the Ripley Reunion