Magnolia Street Soap Box Derby ‘Bigger and Better’ Than Ever

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Warm weather, high speed soap box derby racing, big wheel racing, ice cold beer, and live music. Get to downtown Macon this Sunday, you’ll find it all during the Magnolia Street Soap Box Derby Race.

Koryn Young, Co-Director of the race, said this year is going be the biggest and best yet, thanks to companies and groups like The Hummingbird, Geico, and Bragg Jam stepping in to help support the race day events. There are 20 entries for the race, there were only three the first year. Kids between the ages of four and eight get to compete for the first time ever in a big wheel race this year. Food vendors have been added for the first time, and local bands and musicians will provide no shortage of entertainment.

The main event will be the soap box races. Each of the 20 cars are hand-built by local individuals and companies and race one at a time down Magnolia Street. Whoever has the fastest time, wins the grand prize of cash and gift certificates from The Rookery in downtown Macon.

Young was all smiles as she explained why people should come and check out the races.

“There’s a ridiculous amount of cars that so many people have built, and they put their time and energy into it. They’re incredibly creative, and if nothing else, just seeing the cars that people created is enough to come. Not to mention there’s a gigantic race happening and people are flying down the hill at 30 miles an hour,” Young said. 

The practice run for the derby begins at noon, with official races starting at 3:00p.m. Local musician Sterling White and the Cotton Avenue Hustlers will headline the afternoon beginning at noon as well.

This year’s derby is put on by the InTown Macon Neighborhood Association.