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State Of Maine Soap Box Derby Race June 24th 2023

By
Real Estate Agent with MOOERS REALTY ME Broker License 106759

State of Maine soap box derby race June 24th, 2023.

Big week ahead as everyone involved in the Northern Maine soap box derby finishes up the last minute tasks. As the 28th Northern Maine soap box derby event gets underway on Derby Hill in Community Park in Houlton Maine.

In small Maine towns, there are lots of local community events to sponsor, work on, to stay involved with year after year.

Soap box derby has been one of my favorite Houlton Maine things to do for fun.

You start with a boy or girl 8 years and older who is not so sure about driving a gravity powered derby racer down Derby Hill.

But after a little coaxing, an adult standing in front of the car on the top of the hill. Then instructing the driver to let off the brake. Roll a little bit of the hill.

Ten feet at a time releasing the brake, rolling, stopping, repeat the procedure.

A few of those safety hill top exercises and it's time to get out of the way. The driver is ready to sample the derby hill in a trial run. And then they catch it. They want to race and it's in their blood. To master Derby Hill in Houlton Maine.

northern maine soap box derby

Derby Fever. Where the sounds of the starting gate releasing, the wheels slowly gaining speed and the driving down lane one or two begin.

I love it. Had two of my own children win the local soap box derby race and go on to the World Series of Soap Box Derby Racing in Akron Ohio.

All four kids derby raced and supported each other. The cars loaded in a trailer and towed to rally races around the state and into New Hampshire.

masters soap box derby race car

And have helped several others on the road out west to the All American Soap Box Derby International Race.

Houlton Maine is the only state local venue for soap box derby racing.

At one time, there were five local race locations. Building a hill was the smartest assurance that soap box derby racing in Maine would continue.

northern maine soap box derby racer alex mooers

Houlton Maine's soap box derby race was the nation's largest five years in a row.

Over 66 local volunteers pitched in to make the youth racing event sport such a success. Racers from two and more hours away and their families make the trek to Houlton Maine to compete in soap box derby racing.

Weather the only unknown for soap box derby racers and their pit crews.

We tell the racers, their families to prepare for blistering sun or cold windy, rainy conditions.

Long day of racing with awards, pizza party afterwards to celebrate who gets to represent Maine in the big soap box derby race in Akron Ohio.

northern maine soap box derby race

Like living in Maine, be prepared and the weather changes many times so expect it.

Will create a highlight video and more details on how the 28th running of the Northern Maine soap box derby race comes out in a future Active Rain blog post.

I'm Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

Comments(8)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Andrew - while I never participated in a soap box derby, they fascinated me as a child.  I remember reading books and stories about them.  The closest thing to anything remotely similar was that phase of childhood where I had slot cars.  The activity was a bonding moment with my dad.  A nice post-Father's Day remembrance.  I seem also to recall some AR posts from the past where this post seems to something familiar with your Houlton Maine history too.  

Jun 19, 2023 05:58 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

Michael Jacobs, helping your kids learn what an allen wrench is, how to use cotter keys for wheel pins and aerodynamics, friendly spirited competition is valuable and fun! Last year's major sponsors.

major northern me soap box derby sponsors

Jun 19, 2023 06:21 AM
Michael Jacobs

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 - my lack of mechanical know-how has nothing to do with missing parental involvement.  Unfortunately, that skill continues to elude me today.   

Jun 19, 2023 06:28 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Such a fun event.  We always visit Maine when we lived back East.  Beautiful state. Bill 

Jun 19, 2023 06:12 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

Lots to like living in Maine Bill Salvatore - East Valley ! I feel the same way and lucky to call Maine my home. No better place to raise kids. maine soap box derby logo

Jun 19, 2023 06:19 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I have never been to a soap box derby race, but it certainly sounds like a lot of fun.  I am sure that my nephews would enjoy it.  I love all of the pictures that you have shared!

Jun 19, 2023 06:29 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

These races are all different and fun. Safety is the biggest concern and then having fun, being good sports and shaking hands after every heat win or lose. That's what the derby drivers learn along with lots of mechanic knowledge. We have lights on our hill and can rally race at night and the kids get a kick out of those events too Brian England !

soap box derby starting gate

Jun 19, 2023 06:50 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Andrew,

I love that the small towns in Maine have such great events and the residents come all out. You captured the thrill of the soap box derby race. All the smiling faces show me the excitement and fun everyone has at these events! 

Jun 19, 2023 06:54 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

Dorie Dillard Austin TX .. these races are fun to work on during the event and behind the scenes setting them up!

Jun 19, 2023 07:04 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I remember as a kid making a derby style car even though we didn't have any derby competition. How cool that your daughter was in the race as well.

Jun 19, 2023 09:19 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

All four kids raced and it was neat, like skiing or hiking. You can do it as a family all together. One daughter, one son won the local Maine race and we made the trip west to Akron to race down the historic hill!

amanda mooers soap box derby akron ohio

Jun 19, 2023 10:53 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Having lived in Boston, MA I remember reading about this, loved your photos and wishing you a successful Victory on the derby and off the derby in real estate by getting your name out, Endre

Jun 19, 2023 11:04 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Thank you Endre Barath, Jr... brand new derby drivers need help with mechanics, their name lettered for their car and guidance through the two day event. Some don't have the support of a family members during the race but sponsors, derby volunteers make sure the kids have a memorable experience. Safety, good sportsmanship, fun are a must. 

soap box derby in maine

Jun 20, 2023 02:41 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Andrew, for telling us about this special event.

I am sure there are some interesting stories about the preparation of the cars for the race.

Jun 26, 2023 07:54 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

Small towns are a jewel. Everyone is neighborly and pitches it, very friendly and family oriented! Lots of good wholesome fun with downhill soap box derby racing! The 2023 Maine State Soap Box Derby Race Highlights (Hit the image)

maine soap box derby racing

Jun 26, 2023 07:59 AM