It’s always sunny on race day.
Adrenaline soared, smiles shone and cheers roared as Ucluelet’s Dustin Riley Memorial Soap Box Derby steered a rush of excitement through the community on Saturday, Sept. 14.
“It’s an opportunity for everybody to get together, have some food, have some fun, have some laughs and cheer on the kids. It’s just fantastic,” Ucluelet mayor Marilyn McEwen told the Westerly News at the event. “I’m so glad it was today when it’s so beautiful out and not yesterday when it was raining.”
The Bay Street track bordered with hay bales hosted 26 racers barrelling down a ramp set up at the top of the street and Robbie Wright, 12, was all smiles as he sped past the finish line to take the event’s top prize.
“It feels pretty good. That last race was neck and neck and, honestly, I thought I was going to lose, but I just got the aerodynamics going and I pulled through and won,” Wright told the Westerly after crossing the finish line.
“To all the other racers out there who participated or are going to participate, just have fun. Who cares if you lose? Who cares if you win? It’s all about fun. It’s not about the championship, it’s all about fun. I had so much fun…The adrenaline when you’re going down the hill, it’s very fun. Thanks to the sponsors and the volunteers.”
This was the last year of eligibility for Wright, who has participated in the derby every year since its inception in 2019, and his dad Robert Wright was thrilled to see him take top honours.
“I’m very proud of him. He did a really good job. I’m so grateful to everybody, all the volunteers and the sponsors and all the kids that participated. It was a lot of fun,” he said, adding he enjoys the bonding experiences leading up to the race as he and Robbie build the car, get it ready and “just have a good time.”
“It’s huge for Ucluelet. It gets the community together…It’s just enjoyment for the community. We need more activities like this for the kids.”
The annual soap box derby was a staple on Ucluelet’s calendar during the 1970’s and 80’s, but disappeared until born-and-raised Ucluetians Mayco Noel and Lara Kemps teamed up to bring it back in 2019.
“We had great memories of the event and we wanted to see these kids making some memories and bring the community together,” Kemps said. “It’s one of my favourite days. I love seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and them making memories like we used to do back in the day.”
Along with co-hosting the event, Kemps also volunteered to keep the cotton candy booth humming throughout the day alongside her mom Lois Moraes and said events like the derby that are geared towards locals “make our community stronger.”
“It fosters a culture of inclusivity and it provides a sense of belonging,” she said. “There’s a reason why we haven’t moved out of the community. You just feel like you’re part of it and having everyone involved and all the parents helping out; I think that’s what community means.”
Noel said he and Kemps relaunched the derby they had both enjoyed participating in as kids for the simple reason of community.
“Look what’s going on here today,” he said, pointing over the large crowd of smiling racers, supporters and spectators. “It’s just clean, old-fashioned fun here in the middle of town…There’s limited rules here. There’s a possibility for injury. The kids find it exciting and there’s a winner and a loser. It’s just wonderful to have this competition amongst all the kids.”
Noel said the event has been able to blossom more beautifully each year since its inception thanks to the community’s support, especially the volunteers and sponsors who step up, noting this year’s event included a free barbecue hosted by the Pacific Rim Rotary Club as well as other volunteers offering face painting, cotton candy and balloon animals.
“People are wanting to participate more behind the scenes to assist and it’s starting to run itself, so that’s what we’re looking for,” he said. “We always appreciate those volunteers…People are willing to donate their time and volunteer just to put some smiles on the kids’ faces.”
This year’s event opened up to older participants and Noel himself took part racing down the hill.
“My heartbeat is still up,” he laughed.
Noel was one of three adult racers to brave the track in exhibition and Kemps said efforts are underway to include an adult division in the event.
“We want to get an adult race going, everyone talks about it but it never comes to fruition,” she said. “We would love to have an adult race….I think that would be wonderful.”
Coun. Shawn Anderson said the event is a solid driver of confidence and camaraderie for local youth.
“It brings the whole town together and it’s just great to see all the families have something awesome to do. I think some of the friendships that you see come together here last forever,” he said, adding his son Wyatt, 7, had a blast participating for the first time this year.
“To see their confidence get built up and then come here and all do this together and just to see the kids and how much fun they’re having, full stop, that’s it. They just have a great day out here.”
Kemps echoed Noel’s gratitude for the volunteers and sponsors who made the event possible.
“Community events like this are getting more and more expensive to run, like anything of course,” she said. “We need any sponsors and volunteers that we can get.”
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor for next year’s derby is encouraged to reach out to Kemps at Kemps@Telus.net.
Volunteers will also be needed next year as well.
“An event like this wouldn’t be able to be run without volunteers and sponsors. We couldn’t possibly do it without them and we thank them.”
