Tuesday, July 14, 2015
AKRON, Ohio (AP) — More than 400 participants and their families are coming to Akron next week for the annual Soap Box Derby.
A full week of activities is planned, culminating in the 78th version of the races on July 25. Opening ceremonies are set to begin Monday.
Boy and girls as young as 7 will be driving the gravity-powered cars. The kids come from all over the U.S. as well as Canada, New Zealand, Germany and Japan. Racers were able to qualify for the derby by winning just one race in their local community or by being a rally champion after competing throughout the year.
The derby has taken place in Akron every year except for its inaugural race in 1934 when it was held in Dayton. Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. is sponsoring the races.