The 16th Annual Hopkinsville Kiwanis Soapbox Derby gets underway tonight at Ruff Park, in what will serve as a practice pad with a dinner celebration involving 33 drivers and their families before Saturday’s big rally.
At 6 PM this evening, the heavily-anticipated “Super Kids” Race — geared for special needs children and their friends — will launch. After a two-year COVID-19 hiatus, its winner is set to return to the All-American Soap Box Derby at Akron, Ohio.
Annie Catron, crew chief and derby organizer for Kiwanis Club of Hopkinsville, says tonight’s and Saturday’s races are certainly worth cheering.
Since Ruff Park’s main entrance serves as the start of the downhill track, visitors for tonight and Saturday are encouraged to enter through the Gateway Academy side and park in the rear. Admission is free, with G’s BBQ and Kona Ice available for hungry folks to purchase.
Saturday’s check-in begins at 7 AM with a group photo planned for 7:30 AM. Double elimination pools will then begin rolling at 8 AM, with winners for the Stock Division and Super Stock Division also bound for Akron, Ohio, in July.
Catron said there weren’t enough experienced drivers for the Master’s Division — but perhaps a visiting child might want to get involved in future races.
A large grass area for spectators will have enough room for tents and chairs, and a bounce house alongside the HWEA “Water Monster” will be provided to the public.
Between a $50 racing registration fee and numerous sponsors — Edge Media Group, HWEA, United Southern Bank, Warren Trucking, Planters Bank, First Southern National Bank, and several in-kind supporters — Catron added that any funds not used to promote and pay for the soap box weekend go directly to Kiwanis Club efforts, which typically include “Warm the Children” and other non-profit programming.
In this way, Catron said the races are uplifting.
Racers, meanwhile, aren’t always from the Hopkinsville area. Catron noted several surrounding counties qualify to race in Christian County.
Saturday’s weather: mostly sunny, with a high of 82, and a slight breeze out of the southwest in the afternoon.
Or in other words, perfect.
