Civic leaders to compete in Soap Box Derby

Join the community on Saturday, May 30, to observe civic leaders compete in the Soap Box Derby Races in La Cañada. Each year, as part of the Annual Greater Los Angeles All American Soap Box Derby, VIP races are scheduled. Participants are given engraved plaques suitable for display. This year there are three VIP races scheduled: Mayor Laura Olhasso will race La Cañadan of the Year Meredith Reynolds, La Cañada Community Center President-elect Joel Smith will race the other La Cañadan of the Year, Tom Reynolds. The third race is a rematch between last year’s La Cañadan of the Year, Mary Gant, and La Cañada Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board Barbara Marshall.

There will also be “Challenge Races” available. For a fee of $50 you may challenge your friends, or others, for a race down the hill.

The race is open to kids 8-17 competing in the Stock and Super Stock Divisions with the winner of each division representing Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern and San Luis Obispo counties in the 72nd Annual All American Soap Box Derby National Championships in July in Akron Ohio.

The event will be held on “Michigan Hill,” East Foothill Boulevard, La Cañada Flintridge from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This annual event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada (noon) and the California Families Soap Box Derby Association. Any youngster that has not signed up for this race and would like to participate contact Mary Gant, (818) 248-7664.

Additional information is available on the Kiwanis website, lacanadakiwanis.org/derby, Or, contact Derby Director Joel Smith at (818) 790-6418.