“A family event,” is how veteran racer Jane Mertes describes the annual Williamsport Soap Box Derby.

Fellow racer Jack Holmes agrees, “It’s a big community event for everybody involved,” he added.

From cheering them on to helping build their cars to being part of a pit crew, the pair has seen how it brings families and the town together.

Jack’s younger sister Olivia raced as well. “I think she did it for four years,” he shared.

“We did iron on t-shirts for everybody at the bottom and then my mom went crazy with it,” Holmes said with a laugh.

“We had signs and t-shirts for team Jack and team Olivia,” Holmes added.

This year’s Williamsport Soap Box Derby takes place on June 13 on Market Street in Williamsport.

The race is still seeking drivers from ages 7-18, volunteers and sponsors.

Volunteers are the backbone of the event, according to Holmes.

“The race wouldn’t happen if we didn’t have volunteers,” said Holmes.

Retired from being drivers Mertes and Holmes both now serve in the steering committee of the Soap Box Derby, planning the race and making sure that race day runs smoothly.

Mertes has also been the scorekeeper on race day and would love to see more youth come out and join the fun.

“I would tell somebody who is interested in racing, and specifically, being a female, you think females can’t race, but they can. Don’t be afraid, because my cousin, who is a female, won the soapbox Super Stock Championship in 2021,” Mertes shared proudly.

Holmes also recalled how this was his first introduction to independent competition. He had played on team sports like baseball but never anything that was just him as the competitor.

“I ended up doing Javelin after that for like eight years and I think I owe a lot of that to this and having something that’s strictly you. You really don’t have any teammates, you have your crewmates and your parents…but it’s really just you on race day going down the hill, said Holmes.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet people, meet your neighbors. It’s kind of great they shut down the road, and the city comes out for the day. It’s nice to meet everybody and feel the community and neighborliness,” said Holmes.

If you would like to be part of this community event, the Soap Box Derby is in need of volunteers, sponsors and racers, according to Mike Barclay of the steering committee.

“For race day, June 13 we are in need of volunteers to assist in setting up the track from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and tearing down the track from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Market Street hill.

This year we are short 6 sponsors. The sponsors pay for the expenses of the race, so that the families of the races do not have to pay. The cost of the race is over $25,000 to put on each year,” said Barclay.

If you have interest please email wilposoapboxderby@gmail.com or call Mike Barclay at 570-220-0067.