Locals Love Us voters named the Adult Soapbox Classic, which has been hosted at Third and Main streets in Marble Falls for the past six years, as their favorite outdoor activity in the Marble Falls area. Staff photo
MARBLE FALLS — According to the final race results, the Marble Falls Adult Soapbox Classic has inched out the competition to earn the title of favorite outdoor activity in the 2016 Locals Love Us awards voted on by The Picayune readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners.
“The idea originated several years ago with a lot of the downtown business owners staring down Third Street thinking, ‘Wow, this would be a great place to race,’” said Shannon Heep, director of the National Soapbox Derby Association and organizer of the Marble Falls event.
“It’s that feeling of family and community,” she said. “We’re a little biased because we do throw the best party in town.”
Typically, the event has attracted between 45 and 50 racers for the past six years in June on Father’s Day weekend.
“We have people who come race with us from all over the country, and it just grows every year,” she said.
Individuals and teams register in several categories, including the slalom and the Jamaican divisions. Racers meet at the starting line at Third and Main streets and glide downhill to the finish line.
Along with three days of racing, the event features a derby car parade on Friday night along with opening ceremonies plus racing after dark until about midnight.
On Saturday afternoon, visitors can enter the derby hat contest followed by a street dance later that evening.
Of course, Sundays showcase the finals with winners announced and trophies awarded.
“I do believe it’s the sheer number of people we bring out year after year,” Heep said. “It’s free for the community, and it’s perfectly designed for Father’s Day weekend.”
New to the 2016 event, organizers will introduce a ladies category.
“If you’re a woman, not only do you get to race in the general categories, you get extra racing,” she said.
As preparations get underway for the next event, organizers are making a push for more participants to “double the racing.”
“Our goal has always been to bring the community together and have a good time,” she said. “It’s got to be enjoyable for the whole family, and that’s why the community embraces it.”
The seventh annual Adult Soapbox Classic is June 17-19 in Marble Falls.
Registration opens March 1. To find out more, go to adultsoapboxderby.com.
connie@thepicayune.com
