GOING DOWNHILL FOR 28 YEARS
The KINGSTON ARTISTS SOAPBOX DERBY rolls again on Sunday, August 20th, Start time, 1pm
Throughout the decades this truly unique family event has been attracting thousands of spectators to cheer on professional artists, families and kids in their creations as they roll down lower Broadway in Kingston’s Waterfront district.
The day starts at 11am when participants park their creations on Broadway by the corner of Spring St. where they register their entries. The rules are simple. Wheels are not required but if riding in a car it must be able to steer and stop and be capable of keeping in place on an incline. At the starting line-up, all cars will be inspected for steering and stopping capabilities. Entries determined to have insufficient breaking will be required to go down the hill tethered to a rope to keep the car from speeding away. Safety first!
The event kicks off at 1pm with a marching band and an entertaining procession of the Wild Women troupe. As the entries roll down the hill commentary will be provided by Mark Marshall, our emcee this year and will be broadcast live by Radio Kingston (RadioKingston.org) on the Tutto Italiano show.
Entries are judged for their creativity, originality and engineering. Over $1500 will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners in the adult and youth divisions with gift certificates and trophies to all our runner-up’s! Everyone goes home with a prize!
At the end of the “race” grammy nominated, Professor Louie & The Crowmatix will be entertaining the crowd this year with their diverse set list with songs from their 16 studio CD’s, featuring The Band, Bob Dylan & the blues, while the judges chose the winners and the public gets a chance to pick their favorite for the People Choice Award at the awards ceremony in TR Gallo Park.
Nancy Donskoj, one of the original organizers, can’t wait to see what creations participants are entering this year. “We know people are working on their entries and we know how much time goes into each one but we don’t know how many will enter until the day of the race. The anticipation is mounting!”
For more information or if you wish to volunteer, join the Wild Women troupe, register your entry, sponsor a soapbox, or need technical assistance call the Artists Soapbox derby hotline at 917-450-1772 or visit our website http://www.KingstonArtistSoapboxDerby.com email KASBD2021@gmail.com and
Facebook/KingstonArtistSoapBoxDerby
This event is sponsored by the City of Kingston, Radio Kingston and Ulster County Tourism.
