August 19

On August 19, 1934, the very first All-American Soap Box Derby was held in Dayton, Ohio. The idea began just a year earlier when a newsman named Myron Scott, a photographer for the Dayton Daily News, noticed local boys racing homemade, gravity-powered cars down neighborhood streets. Inspired by their ingenuity and the excitement of the races, he organized a formal event to give the kids a safe place to compete. Chevrolet stepped in as a sponsor, helping to turn what began as a local contest into something much bigger.

The success of that first race drew national attention. By the following year, the Soap Box Derby moved to Akron, Ohio, where the newly built Derby Downs track became its permanent home. What started as a small community race quickly grew into an American tradition, with children from across the country competing for a chance to race on the national stage. Over the decades, the Soap Box Derby became more than just a pastime; it was seen as a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and the spirit of competition — values that helped it endure as one of the country’s most beloved youth events.

A Soap Box Derby Prayer

Lord of laughter and wheels that wobble,

We thank You for the joy of a downhill race.

For the kids with helmets too big,

knees knocking with both nerves and excitement.

Bless the oddball contraptions—

the lawnmower wheels, the wagon parts,

the duct tape that holds it all together.

Bless the smooth runs and the sudden crashes,

the victories at the finish line

and the smiles after a tumble.

Keep the racers safe, the parents cheering,

and the memories as bright as the summer sun.

May every push at the starting line

remind us that life’s best moments

are built with imagination, determination,

and just a little bit of gravity.

And Lord, remind us that our lives are a lot like those soapbox cars—

pieced together with whatever we’ve been given,

never perfect, sometimes a little wobbly,

but always moving forward.

With faith as our steering wheel

and perseverance as our fuel,

may we ride the hills of life with courage, joy,

and the freedom to laugh at both the crashes and the victories.

Amen.

Gratitude

Think back to something from your childhood that brought joy to your whole neighborhood—maybe a block party, a summer game, or a race down the street. Take a moment to thank God for the gift of those memories and for the chance to have been part of them.