On Saturday, August 17th, the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby returns for its 25th year of gravity-induced fun. People will gather starting at 10 a.m. along SE Reservoir Loop Drive in Mt. Tabor Park to watch contestants roll with increasing speed down the extinct urban volcano. Over 150 volunteers will assist racers and attendees on the derby day, which lasts until 4 p.m.
In the summer of 1997, Paul Zenk and Eric Foren loosely organized a small group of friends to race down Mt. Tabor’s windy roads in an event that would create the inaugural PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. The event has grown yearly to include 42 racing teams and between 7,000 to 10,000 spectators. This free-to-attend race features highly engineered carts and some haphazardly crafted contraptions that all rely on gravity for propulsion. People wishing to attend should anticipate walking some distance to the event and bringing water or other refreshments. Some concession items and merchandise are available for purchase at the event.
Article main photo by Crossett Freilinger
Update: The 25th PDX Adult Soapbox Derby took place on August 17th with good weather and large crowds. Below are photos from this years event taken by Jacob Loeb.
