Looking for Father's Day fun? Soap Box Derby could draw 1000s to St. Johns

ST. JOHNS — After a 43-year hiatus, a Soap Box Derby will be rolling back to St. Johns on Sunday.

Youngsters between the ages of 7 and 18 will race homemade cars in the city's downtown on Father's Day. 

The regional derby was a proud tradition in the Clinton County community from 1963 to 1976, race director Dan Matson said.

Organizers enjoyed "overwhelming support" when they approached city leaders about resurrecting the St. Johns derby in 2019, Matson said.

The competition gets its name because children once built their cars from soap or apple crates. Construction materials are more sophisticated now, but the cars must be powered only by gravity.

Bringing it back: St. Johns is bringing Soap Box Derby races back to Michigan

"It's a fun way to get the kids to understand STEM," Matson said, referring to the education acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. "It kind of goes hand-in-glove with Father's Day. We've got fathers and sons designing cars. We've also got mothers and daughters and lots of grandparents and grandchildren."

Two winners, one from each age division in St. Johns, will move on to a national showdown in Akron, Ohio this July.

1. When, where should I show up?

A parade will kick of at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in downtown St. Johns.

Races begin at 10 a.m. on Clinton Avenue and will likely continue until about 5 p.m.

An awards ceremony will immediately follow the races at the Wilson Center Auditorium on 101 W. Cass St.

2. Where should I park?

Street parking will be free throughout the city of St. Johns, but drivers should be aware of road closures. An area surrounding the race at Clinton Avenue will be barricaded.

3. Is it too late to sign up for the race?

Yes. The race is full with 32 contestants and there's already a wait list in case of cancellations.

Anybody can show up, however, to enjoy the race day atmosphere. It's free to watch the competition and to visit attractions like a tent showcasing derby history.

At its peak, the St. Johns derby attracted 8,000 people, Matson said. Organizers are hopeful this year's race could draw as many as 10,000 attendees.

4. Will the derby happen rain or shine?

In the event of light rain, the race will be delayed until later in the day on June 16.

If there's lightning or a downpour, the race will be rescheduled for the same time, 10 a.m., on the following Sunday, June 30.

Follow the derby's Facebook page or its website, www.soapboxderby.org/st-johns, for scheduling updates.

Temperatures in St Johns could reach a high of 71 degrees Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters are predicting overcast skies with a 50% chance of rain during the day. Those rain showers could give way to thunderstorms Sunday night.

5. What should I bring?

There will be some bleacher seating, but spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. You may also want to have a camera and some money for food and trinkets.

Many local businesses will be open Sunday and food trucks will be parked downtown.

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Contact Sarah Lehr at (517) 377-1056 or slehr@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahGLehr. 

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