DIDSBURY - With fall just around the corner it must be time for Didsbury's annual Soap Box Derby, which has been a fixture in the community for over 25 years.
The derby takes place Sept. 7 on Highway 582 at West Can Seal Coating near Tim Hortons and Centex.
Dana Munn, president of the Didsbury Car Club which organizes the event, said the derby is sure to be a great time once again.
"It all starts at 8:30 a.m. with registration," said Munn. "We hope to be starting around 9:30 a.m. or 10 a.m. We hope to start sending kids down the hill at that time. This is our 27th annual Soap Box Derby. It's been going on for a long time. "
The Didsbury Car Club took over a few years back after being asked to take over from the Didsbury Lions, he said.
Munn said people have to register on site the day of the event starting at 8:30 a.m.
"They just come right over and register Saturday morning," he said. "We'll have the ramp set up right there outside of West Can Seal Coating's building there in the south end of the Reimer Plaza-Tim Hortons parking lot."
Munn said the event went well last year with over 25 kids registered.
"It was good," he said. "It's always fun to get the kids out. There are going to be prizes given out. We got the Grillz Weenie Wagon coming out as well."
Kids are expected to bring their own soap box cars, said Munn. All soap box carts must pass Didsbury Car Club tech. All racers must wear DOT helmets.
"There are also I think a couple of soap box derby cars for sale at West Bound Outdoors in Didsbury," he said.
Munn said building a soap box derby car is a great way for a child to learn valuable skills.
"It's a lot of kids' first experience often in building a car they actually get to go out and test and compete with," he said. "There are prizes for most original design and best paint. We want to encourage kids to be creative and come out and have fun."
Munn said they always get a good contingent of racers and cars from Westglen School.
"The students have been doing it a couple years now with shop teacher Mr. Anderson," said Munn. "It's part of the curriculum."
The cost to register for the soap box derby is $25 per racer. For more information check out the Didsbury Car Club's Facebook page.
