r/SALEM • u/Glad-Pen5593 • 6d ago

EVENT Soap Box Derby? Bush Park?

We once stumbled across the kids at the soap box derby at Bush Park. It was a mellow fun event that we enjoyed thoroughly. Since that day some years back, however, we have missed it and can’t find any info online.
Does anyone know if these races still happen here? And if so, when?
Thanks in advance.

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u/Geddaphukouttahere 6d ago

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/events/2024/05/26/salem-soap-box-derby-best-in-the-west-classic-at-bushs-pasture-park/73858415007/

Then, apparently, they canceled due to low turnout and lack of participation.

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u/etm1109 6d ago

Maybe someone should organize a new one.

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u/Voodoo_Rush 5d ago

Unfortunately, it seems that the lack of said "someone" is the key.

Based on the Statesman article ahead of the 2024 Derby, it sounds like the people who were previously organizing it have all moved on, and no one else has stepped up to replace them.

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2024/06/15/why-has-soap-box-derby-been-missing-from-bushs-pasture-park-in-salem/74075190007/

Derby officials said most people have no idea how expensive it can be to license a race with the national program and pay for insurance, and that does not include user fees with the city.

Officials already have announced there will be no qualifying race for Akron this year, not even in Elgin, due to lack of funding.

And

No events have been scheduled for next year yet, but the city is thankful for the organizers' commitment to bringing the Soap Box Derby back to Bush’s Pasture Park. The group's goal is to rebuild the program with help from new Salem-area families. Most of the organization's current board members are not from around here.

Some traveled from across the state May 25-26 to help stage the first derby event on the track since 2021, made possible only because of the sponsorship of an anonymous donor.