Once again, on a hot July morning, Bloomfield’s Mill Street was closed to motorized traffic so that that more than fifty gravitationally driven speedsters from ages 5-12 could show their skills. From morning until noon, the air was filled with the rumble of homemade vehicles whose drivers aimed to make as straight a line as possible from the gate to the finish line.

Councillor Brad Nieman was on hand to install vehicles on the ramp, drivers into the vehicles and to patiently confirm with every single driver that they knew how the brakes worked.

Although most racers chose to follow the guiding chevrons painted down the centre of the street, there were a few who chose to make it a slalem course. And let’s give a shout-out to that daring soul who chose to mount one house’s porch steps and check on their Amazon delivery!

It was great to be milling about on Mill Street, chatting with parents, grandparents and kids. The Bloomfield and Hallowell Ward Recreation Committee is to be commended for more than twenty iterations of this rewarding social occasion.

Mark Hindson and Ross Hamilton of the organizing committee offered thanks “to the members of the Bloomfield Hallowell Recreation Committee, Participants, Parents, Volunteer helpers and Spectators for a very successful Soap Box Derby,” with special thanks to: Brian Patterson, J.J. Moorcroft, Lisa Khera, Jason Pettit, Chris Dyer and Volunteer Firefighters and County Staff.

The many volunteers heroically made sure that every contestant crossed the finish line and tirelessly drew the cars back to the top for another race.

Among the contestants were first-timers and veterans. All enjoyed a pizza lunch by Pizza Via, an ice cream at Slickers, and a visit to the firetruck.

Trophies were awarded to the top three in each age group, as well as best decorated vehicle, as follows:

Age 5     First: Robyn Bell; Second: Ayla Chrislett; Third: Crue Williams
Age 6    First: Parker Vanhaarlem; Second: Jasper Locke; Third: Eliana Runions
Age 7    First: Lea Luang Laplante; Second: Rhett Rutgers; Third: Aidan Katz
Age 8      First: Paul Vanhaarlem; Second: Ethan Courtney; Third: Olivia Cratg
Age 9      First: Maren Rutgers; Second: Alex Runions; Third: Eli Bulton
Age 10     First: Adalade Bronson; Second: Abigail Moore; Third: Carson Moore
Ages 11-12 First: Emmett Rutgers; Second: Knox Stevens; Third: Noah Ballantine

The Special Award for Outstanding Car went to The Toronto Maple Leaf Car.

Everyone is already looking forward to next year.