A soap box derby is scheduled for May 30 & 31, 2020 on Fitzwilliam St. in Nanaimo's Old City Quarter neighbourhood. Ironically the Men's Centre and Alair homes were both planning their own soap box derby's and decided to join forces for a single event.  (submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

Soap box derby

‘It’s going to be a massive event:’ inaugural soap box derby scheduled for Nanaimo

Mar 2, 2020 | 6:56 AM

NANAIMO — Add another event to an already packed summer schedule of things to do in Nanaimo.

The inaugural Hub City Soap Box Derby is scheduled for May 30 and 31 on Fitzwilliam St., involving people of all ages zipping down the hill on a gravity powered racing carts.

Jason Clayton of Alair Homes called the event a great chance to create a family friendly event to help generate an early tourism season push.

“We’re drawing on the success of silly boats and the amount of crowd and fun that event draws, there’s no reason why we can’t do the same thing here.”

Clayton said there will be a division for six to 12-year-olds, and an adults division.

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“It’s going to be a massive event,” Clayton told NanaimoNewsNOW. “We’re looking for 30 kids to participate and 30 big kids or companies to participate in the event, I think it’s going to be great,” Clayton said.

Kids will race on the Saturday, while it’s the adults’ turn on the Sunday.

A cart assembly kit will be supplied to the kids, while adults will be tasked with building their own cart which must have brakes and a steering mechanism.

Clayton said the course will be 150 meters long between Prideaux and Wesley streets and include two corners to “make it a little challenging.”

Fitzwilliam St. will be closed for most of both days with hay bales lining the course, while sidewalks will remain open, Clayton said.

Monies raised will go to the Child Development Centre and Men’s Resource Centre.

Clayton fully expected the Hub City Soap Box Derby to become an annual event, noting there is strong early community interest so far with several racers already signed up.

“Tons of chatter online, I’ve received a variety of different phone calls. So far so good, it’s looking really promising,” Clayton said.

Information for interested racers and volunteers are available at the Hub City Soap Box Derby website.

Trophies will be awarded for the fastest and most creative soap box carts and best dressed pit crew.

Nanaimo’s busy summer events season also features the Pride Parade, Dragon Boat Festival, Silly Boat Regatta, Nanaimo Marine Festival and Vancouver Island Exhibition.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes