"Soap Box Derby" Valparaiso Off The Beaten Path Tip by Toughluck

Each summer, long about mid-august, the soap box derby comes to town. The Derby finals are held in Akron, Ohio, but one of the elimination events occurs here. Lincolnway is closed from Garfield to Morgan. This is the hill east of downtown and the racers start and Garfield and run towards town, stopping before Morgan. The area is packed with racers, their families and race enthusiasts. Lots of fun and no motor.

Soap Box cars are now high-tech, but they are still basically, built by the driver, who has to be younger than 15 or 16. Four wheels, a shell, and a steering wheel. Limited in weight, size and the help they can recieve, this remains an area where the kids dominate.