Ten-year-old Chase Fraser took part in the first Hub City Soap Box race in 2022. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

lets roll

Hub City Soap Box Derby hitting the streets again this summer

Apr 16, 2023 | 8:24 AM

NANAIMO — The streets of the Old City Quarter will once again be alive with the sounds of excitement and the rolling thunder of soapbox cars.

The second edition of the Hub City Soap Box Derby is hitting the streets this summer, with a tentative date of the week of Saturday, Aug. 19.

Coordinator Kathryn Scott said they heard a lot of positive feedback from last year’s event, saying the whole day had “quite the vibe.”

“There was over 1,500 people, everybody was hooting and hollering and yelling. Everyone was just really excited to be out, and all the kids were dressed up, they were in costumes, and it was just a really good, fun, wholesome day for downtown Nanaimo.”

She added a lot of businesses enjoyed a bump in foot traffic and an overwhelmingly positive event for the area.

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They’ll once again be racing on Fitzwilliam St. down to Wesley St., and it’s open to anyone over the age of six.

Scott said last year they were able to raise $16,000 for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre, and they are upping the goal this year.

“Our goal this year is $25,000, and this year we’re going to add some extra entertainment, and we’re going to have more entertainment throughout the day just to keep everybody entertained and have everyone stay longer.”

There are two different categories to compete in, ensuring anyone can participate no matter their age.

“We have two different categories. We have the little kids, and that’s up to 12 years old. We have 30 spots for that, then we have the ‘big kids’, which is any businesses, or anybody over the age (of 12), adults, teenagers, anybody who wants to participate in the big kids.”

Registration started this week and people are signing up fast.

More information including how to register can be found here at soapboxnanaimo.com.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow