The end of summer is near. But before the kids return to school and parents give a sigh of relief in the village of Wellesley the annual fishing and soapbox derbies must be held.
Always held on Labour Day Monday, the two events have become a mainstay for residents of the village for the last few years.
It all started eight years ago when organizer Terry Dennerley thought Wellesley’s hills would make for the perfect setting for a soapbox race.
Many of the cars used on race day are sponsored and built by local businesses. The intent was businesses would buy the kits and organizers would find drivers to drive the cars. This gives all kids an opportunity to race even if they don’t have their own car to drive.
The event takes place on Nafziger Road, starting at 2 p.m., on a ramp opposite First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and ends approximately 240 metres down the hill to the finish line.
The race offers four age categories: ages 8-10, 11-13, 14-17, and 18-plus.
“Contestants find it very fun to build a soapbox racer and most of the kids that enter have never experienced this kind of thing before,” said Patricia Dennerley, a derby committee member. “These vehicles don’t run with any gas, engine or anything like that, and a lot of the kids find that fascinating.”
Racers can reach speeds of 19 to 36 kilometres an hour and organizers have asked that a local police officer be down at the bottom of the hill with a radar gun recording each participant’s speed. Last year there were 25 cars and 48 drivers in the race.
“The event is not part of a racing circuit but a day to have some friendly competitive fun. It gives kids a chance to safely get behind the wheel and pretend they’re speedway drivers,” said Dennerley.
Anyone who wishes may build and race their own cars, although there are safety requirements for the vehicles. Specifications and rules are available on the Wellesley Board of Trade website and must be strictly followed, as safety is a number-one priority. The cutoff for drivers registering for the race is Aug. 31.
This year the Wellesley Board of Trade held a raffle for a new soapbox derby racer and it was won by Dr. Brian Finn of Wellesley.
Before the races begin, the seventh annual Lions Fishing Derby will be held at the Albert Erb Conservation area. Anglers are asked to register at 9 a.m. Each participant must pay a $7 entry fee. The fishing derby begins at 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. A cash prize of $150 will be awarded for the first tagged fish caught. There will be prizes awarded for the largest and smallest fish caught during the day. All the proceeds raised at the event go to fund youth programs in the village.
“The primary objective is to give kids something to do and have fun on Labour Day,” said Peter van dermas, one of the organizers of the fishing derby.
As always volunteers are the lifeblood of any community event and anyone interested in helping out with the event should contact the board of trade.
“It’s all about derby day. We have fishing in the morning and the races in the afternoon and it’ a great way to send the kids happily back to school,” laughed Dennerley.
For more information about the soapbox derby or to download car specifications, race rules and entry forms go to www.wellesleyboardoftrade.com.
