🚗💨 Record-breaking fun at the 4th annual Innisfail Soap Box Derby! Kids zoomed past new speed records and the community came together like never before. 🌞🏆
#Innisfail #SoapBoxDerby #Community #FamilyFun #Olds #Alberta
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Innisfail Soap Box Derby Shatters Records in Fourth Year
The morning of July 27 in Innisfail started off with a hint of dreariness, but it quickly turned into a historic day full of sunshine and high spirits. The fourth annual Innisfail Soap Box Derby, held at Cemetery Hill, saw a record number of participants, volunteers, and some thrilling new speed records set by the young competitors.
A Community Event Like No Other
The Innisfail Lions Club, the driving force behind this beloved event, was thrilled to see a record 62 racers across various age groups and more than 30 dedicated volunteers. This turnout was a significant milestone for the organizers, who had often struggled to gather enough helping hands in previous years.
Tom Reinhart from the Lions Club couldn’t contain his excitement about the level of support this year. “We had a fantastic number of volunteers this year for the first time,” he said, acknowledging the crucial support from groups like the Innisfail Kinsmen, Kinette Club of Innisfail, Innisfail Citizens on Patrol, and the Rotary Club of Innisfail. The Rotary Club even had the honor of grilling over 200 hamburgers for the hungry racers and attendees.
The Importance of Volunteers
Reinhart highlighted how the influx of volunteers made a significant difference, particularly for the Lions Club, which had faced challenges in recruiting able-bodied helpers. “All those volunteers made a whale of a difference,” he noted, emphasizing how much smoother the event ran this year thanks to their presence.
A Record-Breaking Day
The derby kicked off at 9 a.m. under a canopy of grey clouds, but by 11 a.m., the sun had broken through, setting the stage for a memorable day. The six-to-eight age group was particularly exciting, with multiple gravity-powered speed records being shattered. Last year’s record of 23 kilometers per hour (km/h) was smashed by a fierce competition among the Hill and Feduniw families.
Innisfail senior peace officer Derek Radatzke was on hand with a radar gun to record the speeds. Lucas Feduniw was the first to break the record, reaching a speed of 26 km/h. Not to be outdone, six-year-old Sylas Hill soon bested that with a run of 27 km/h. Finally, Lucas’s twin brother Brody took the record even further with an impressive 28 km/h, setting a new event benchmark.
Family and Community Pride
The pride and excitement among the participants and their families were palpable. Cale Feduniw, father of the record-breaking twins, expressed immense pride in his sons' achievements. “Everyone is pretty excited. The boys are excited to come next year to try and set some new records,” he said, lauding the event for fostering connections and learning between children and their parents.
Cale emphasized the importance of the time spent together building the soap box cars, noting that it offered a valuable educational experience and a sense of pride in their accomplishments. “It gives us time to be together and build something and yes, the educational component is awesome,” he shared. “They have a lot of pride after seeing how fast their cart went. I think it is amazing, a great community event.”
Looking Ahead
With such a successful event this year, the Innisfail Lions Club and the broader community are already looking forward to next year’s derby. The record participation and the spirit of volunteerism have set a new standard for future events. The anticipation is already building, with many eager to see if the new speed records will be broken again.
Conclusion
The fourth annual Innisfail Soap Box Derby was a resounding success, not just for the thrilling races and new records but for the sense of community it fostered. The event highlighted the importance of volunteerism and the joy of shared experiences, creating memories that will last a lifetime. As the community looks forward to next year, there’s no doubt that the Innisfail Soap Box Derby will continue to be a cherished tradition, bringing together families and friends in the spirit of friendly competition and community pride.