{"id":5136,"date":"2018-05-16T22:17:37","date_gmt":"2018-05-16T22:17:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tamworth.ca\/?page_id=5136"},"modified":"2026-08-03T01:00:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T01:00:48","slug":"soap-box-derby-canada-day","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tamworth.ca\/?page_id=5136","title":{"rendered":"Soap Box Derby (Canada Day)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"tamworth<\/a><\/p>\n

Check out the Soap Box Derby Video<\/a>
\n(Video by Don Joyce)<\/div>\n
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Tamworth Canada Day Soap Box Derby 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indeed, it was another memorable day of downhill gravity racing in Tamworth, in home built carts of all sorts and colours!. What better way to begin the summer holidays? Racers came from far and near to attend this annual event, along with over 250 spectators lining Bridge Street West, to cheer on all of the racers. Those proud racers of all ages, from 6 to 72 years, showed off their racing skills in carts of many designs, hard work and paint jobs! The cart racers came from our home town of Tamworth but also from nearby villages of Erinsville, Enterprise, Newburgh, Roblin, Napanee, Deseronto, Belleville, Embrum, Odessa, and Ottawa!!! From far and near!<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not sure who were more excited, the racers, the parents and families, or the cheering spectators? It was in true Tamworth fashion, after the practice runs, down the 180 foot race course hill, that every cart racer was ready to take on their opponents!<\/p>\n

The day before Canada Day, the weather was pretty scary, with torrential rain, thunder storms and high winds! We wondered, if it would be a washed out Canada Day? But the next morning the sky was clear and the weather very hot and extremely humid!<\/p>\n

With the help of several volunteers we all got the race hill prepared, roads closed, start ramps put together, center line chalked, tire barriers and straw bales put in place, FINISH banner put up, the registration tables, chairs and canopy erected, and got the sound system up and tested. It was ready to go.<\/p>\n

The ladies were frantically working at getting all of the registrations recorded and written in place and scheduling the racing pairs for each division, along with the wireless headset sound checks with the timers at the bottom of the hill. None of this can be a success without all of the volunteers who assist us with: organizing, set up, administration & co-ordination, timing, catching cars that have trouble stopping, the ramp helpers, the starters, race course take down and clean up. In addition, to loaning of sound equipment, wireless head set walkie talkies, and the technical assistance of our drone pilots and video camera artists.<\/p>\n

Many thanks go out to all of those people who give their time freely to see it all come together, in our welcoming community, for the enjoyment of many, whether you are a local or come from afar. Many thanks and appreciation is given to the supporting businesses, the Tamworth District LIONS, the Tamworth Boosters, and those individuals who give the Soap Box Derby their support, to make it such a success! Including the residents of Bridge Street, and the Township of Stone Mills Works Department. Plus the generous support from John Trotter every year, who allows the Jimmie John to be on his property and who gave out the free snow cones, water, freezies, and candy to youngsters.<\/p>\n

Despite the extreme heat and humidity, the derby races went smoothly. There were a few mishaps of out of control carts, and even had a couple crashes\u2026(by the eldest drivers) at the end. Maybe next year those older drivers should get a few lessons or pointers from those \u2018Young Drivers of Canada Day!\u2019 Thanks to the bystanders who<\/p>\n

helped get the all of the misfortunate drivers back on track and pointed down the hill to the Finish line.<\/p>\n

This year several local people and businesses, VanNess Automotive; Robert Storring, S\u2019Cooper\u2019s Ice Cream and The Blue Door Caf\u00e9, donate prizes to the winners, and random racers. We again gave out custom Tamworth Soap Box Derby brass medals to all drivers ages 6 to 15 years, The Tamwoth District LIONS donated the trophies and Marg Weese for donated \u2018The Spirit of the Races\u2019 Trophy, in memory of soap box supporter, Brian Weese.<\/p>\n

We all survived the heat and the humidity of the day, by keeping in the shade and drinking lots of water. All races were completed around 2:30, when we began the draw for two Soap Box carts, Then the brass medallions were handed out to the younger racers, and then the random cash awards, and culminating finally with the trophies. None too soon as the sky darkened, when we started dismantling the race course, and then the sky opened up. We got all the races, all the awards and all the trophies given out, just in time. Thankfully the weather held out so we could complete the races!<\/p>\n

After the brief storm and downpour, we finished the race hill clean up,<\/p>\n

The Canada Day parade had to be cancelled due to an unfortunate tragedy, where both the Tamworth fire department and the Enterprise fire department attended a major house fire north of the village. Later after dinner, the events, activities, band and fireworks at the ball park, too were cancelled around 7 pm due to another bad storm. So were glad that we got our whole Soap Box Derby in again this year!<\/p>\n

Thank you one and all for your continued support and enthusiasm in this annual event ! It is so gratifying to see all those smiling faces and cheering spectators every year! We hope to see you all again next year. We are hoping we do not melt next year! This year\u2019s Trophy Winners are listed on the next page. Only first names are used to protect the individuals privacy.<\/p>\n

If you wish to view this year\u2019s exciting 5 minute derby video, you can Google \u2018Tamworth Soap Box Derby\u2019; or Google \u2018Don Joyce\u2019. Previous years videos are also there to view.<\/p>\n

We trust this event will continue each year! Thank you to all for coming out!<\/p>\n

Tamworth 2026 Canada Day Soap Box Derby Results<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Ages 6 to 10 Years Trophies<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

1st Place \u2026\u2026..Odin<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

2nd Place \u2026\u2026..Atlas<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

3rd Place \u2026\u2026\u2026David<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Ages 11 to 15 Years Trophies<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

1st Place \u2026\u2026\u2026.Devina<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

2nd Place \u2026\u2026\u2026.Deider<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

3rd Place \u2026\u2026\u2026..Jack<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Ages 16+ Years Trophies<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

1st Place \u2026\u2026\u2026.Susie<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

2nd Place \u2026\u2026\u2026.Malcolm<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Best Decorated Cart Trophy<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Ben \u2013 for the LEGO Cart<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Most Patriotic Cart Trophy<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Zoey \u2013 for the Rainbow \/ hockey stick Cart<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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The Spirit of the Races Trophy \u2013 The Brian Weese Memorial<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Logan \u2013 in the Cyber Truck Cart<\/p>\n

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Here is a few pictures from the 2026 Soap Box Derby (Photos by Don Joyce)
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REGISTRATION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

For those who wish to pre-register, you may do so by downloading the Registration Form, click on \u2018enable editing\u2019 and fill it out, save it and then send it to: bert.korporaal@gmail.com<\/strong><\/a>OR <\/strong>you may just bring the completed signed form to the Registration Table the morning of the Races.<\/p>\n

By registering early we can determine how many drivers<\/strong> will be competing in each class. Please be there early so we will be able to start on time around10:30 am. Registration <\/strong>will be from9:30 to 10:30 am <\/strong>at the top of the hill at the intersection of Neeley Street. We will try to get in some test runs down the hill before the races start. All cars will be inspected prior to the races. Please be there well before the races begin.\u00a0 Photos of cars & drivers may be taken at the top of the hill behind the registration table before the races. We will try to have a practice run around 10 am to 10:30am<\/p>\n

On site registration<\/strong> on the day of the Soap Box Derby please register or bring your completed form with you, with your parent\u2019s signature on it, to the Registration table<\/strong>. Check In –Every driver<\/strong> and racer parent must check in at the registration table.<\/p>\n

We are all looking forward to seeing all of the area kids at the event, from far and near!<\/p>\n

VOLUNTEERS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

We need volunteers to make this happen again. Set up and take down are the most labor intensive, so if you can spare an hour – either in the morning or afternoon please let us know. We will be in need of volunteers at the soap box derby for:<\/p>\n