We told you about the Kingston Artist Soap Box Derby and if you didn’t come out to see it you sure missed a great time (check out the Freeman article)!!

While Soap Box Derbies have been around since the early 1930’s, what you get in Kingston is a lot different than your basic Soap Box Derby. Since 1995 George Donskoj and the town of Kingston have hosted their version of a Soap Box Derby that allows entrants to build whatever they want, showcasing their artistic abilities with only one rule or restriction, it must be able to stop at the bottom of the Broadway hill. Over the years it has become world known; so you can only imagine how honored we’ve been to be involved with it since 2006. Whether volunteering as “gravity control” or racing our own “Quad Skate” down the hill, it has always been an exciting event.

With 14 cars this year, it wasn’t about who got down the hill the fastest, it was about creativity, and a wide range of different themes were on hand. As we waited on the start line with all the other cars I was in awe at some of the ideas that people came up with. Between a “UFO” and a “poodle on a rotating platform”, to a “Back To The Future” Deloren car made from cardboard, I knew we were going to “skate” down that hill faster than anyone. Waiting on each entrant I grew more and more excited for our turn. When they called #12 my pilot “Suitor” and I each gave the nod and we were off. What a rush it was racing down that hill, people cheering and clapping, taking photos and videos, the excitement was deafening. As nervous as I was, once we got started nothing has ever compared to the thrill of that ride!! Though it only lasted less than 3 minutes, I’d have to say it was the best fun I’ve had since a kid racing my little brothers Big Wheel down the biggest hill in our town.

While the “My Little Broney” soap box was full of unicorns, glitter, bubbles, and a personal favorite, our “Quad Skate” won a cash Grand Prize of $500 for the People’s Choice Award – we were so honored. Looking forward to next year, we donated some of our winnings back to the race coordinators and left thinking of perhaps a few new ideas for the 2015 race.