Fans cheer soapbox racers on sunny but muggy race day

Nearly 70 children took on the challenge of driving soapbox cars down Bloomfield’s Mill Street hill Saturday morning, seeking thrills, trophies and pizza rewards.

Families, friends, fans and furry spectators lined the hilly street to cheer racers in the annual event hosted by the Bloomfield Hallowell Recreation Committee. All endured mostly muggy and warm temperatures with occasional breezes.

“Somebody asked me what we were going to do about the weather and I told them not to worry, that I’ve ordered nice weather for the morning,” chuckled Barry Turpin as he worked on keeping the records for time sheets as they came in.

Prince Edward County firefighters stepped in to help the recreation volunteers to keep fans and racers safe as the paramedic vehicle on scene was called out to service. No safety straw bales appeared on the route this year but firefighters were prepared with first aid kits and were also spotted helping wayward racers  to avoid hitting hydro poles and driving into the Mill Pond creek. Only a few racers went off the road this year. And several got a boost from an audience member, or a re-start, when their vehicle failed to proceed.

All participants received a medallion and trophies were presented to first to third-place winners in each age category.

In the age five group, first place went to Julia Gulka; second to Trenton Arnis and third to Aidan Katz.

There were two age six groups. Winning in first places were Sawyer Koopmans and Gavin Cordez; in second, Sammy Srikant and Hudson Peard, and in third spots, Bentley Jagger and Macy Milanovic.

Eli Cronk won the seven-year-old category, followed by Russell Courneyea in second and Sally Store in third.

Lane Batten led the eight-year-olds, followed by Blake McDermott and Emerson Courtney.

Lexi Jenner topped the nine-year-old racers, followed by Mercy Norris and Bentley Hicks.

In the senior age group ages 10-12, Tyson Bradshaw was the fastest down the route, followed by Holly McDermott and Ellie Shepard.