'They're on the hill'

Young racers gathered at the top of the slight hill on W. Central Avenue in Federalsburg on June 7 for the 23^rd Annual Delmarva Soap Box Derby. Hunter Cannon came away victorious in the Stock Division, and Nathaniel Merrikan won the Super Stock Division. Both boys will travel to Akron, OH for the All-American Soap Box Derby, July 13 through July 19.

The Delmarva Soap Box Derby is coordinated by the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Department with sponsorships and financial support by local businesses. The 2025 race included 30 racers, ages 7 to 17, in two categories of Stock and Super Stock.

Race official, Danny Phillips, explained that Stock cars are 200 pounds, car and driver, for racers aged 7 to 14 years old. Super Stock cars are 200 pounds, car and driver, for racers aged 10 to 17. The races are run as brackets, with each pairing running two heats. The event is operated under guidelines from the national All-American Soap Box Derby organization.

Raquel McNeil was in attendance to watch her son, Able, compete. Her son Harry was the 2024 Super Stock champion, which allowed he and his family to travel to Akron. Harry was at the Federalsburg race to cheer his brother.

Local residents lined up the track to cheer for the competitors. Dennis and Melinda live just up the street from W. Central and came down to watch the young folks complete. “Years ago, it just to be our thing,” Melinda said, and now they watch their grandkids, nieces and nephews speed down the road.

The racers and their coaches took the competition seriously, but the atmosphere was congenial and family focused. In fact, halfway through the race, the announcer called out over the loudspeaker that racer Wesley was celebrating his eighth birthday, to cheers from the crowd.

For more on the Delmarva Soap Box Derby, which occurs the first Saturday of June, find the organization on Facebook.