DIDSBURY - Father's Day weekend marks the 25th annual Soap Box Derby in Didsbury.
The derby is being organized for the second year in a row by the Didsbury Car Club, which took over from the Didsbury Lion's Club.
The event takes place on Saturday, June 17 with registration from 8 to 10 a.m. followed by races until around 4 p.m.
Dana Munn, vice-president of the club, said the event went very well last year with almost 25 kids participating.
"It went well," said Munn. "We had a pretty decent turnout. It was a fun day."
Munn said he expects this year's derby will be just as big if not bigger.
"It's an event that's been going for 25 years," he said. "It's an event for kids to come out with their parents. We set a ramp up on Highway 582. We go down the hill starting just east of Centex Gas and right down to the Zion Church."
Munn said the club has two ramps now: a small one for the younger kids and a larger one for the older kids.
"On the big ramp we get four going and with the small one we'll have two," he said.
Munn said the participants are encouraged to use the kits the club has for sale. All the rules are posted on the car club's Facebook site. People can also call the club at 403-335-9941 for rules, kits and other information.
"For the most part we want everyone to use the kit we provide," he said. "That just keeps it fair for everyone. We will run a modified class we call it. You can do pretty much anything you would like. We just have certain rules for width and length.
"They won't get off the ramp if they're much longer. In the modified class you can use ball-bearing wheels and stuff like that. You can be creative."
The club will be offering prizes to the top three in each division. There will also be a barbecue on hand for hungry patrons.
"It's great family time," he said. "It's great one-on-one time with your kids. Parents can enjoy building these kits with their children. It's great memories. I still have the cart I built for my son and my daughter.
"We repurposed them back to the club. We donated them to victim services for children that don't have both parents or possibly couldn't afford to do it."
