​It didn’t begin here, but Akron has long been a heartbeat of one of America’s most beloved annual sports events, gathering momentum over the years. The city is set to welcome about 300 young racers and their families starting Saturday, July 11, for the All-American Soap Box Derby, now in its 88th running. This event blends ingenuity, skill, and gravity to crown a champion, and it remains a staple of Akron’s cultural landscape.
In a moment that ties past to present, T.H. Keating, then assistant general sales manager at Chevrolet, belatedly presented the winning trophy to Robert Berger, 14, of Omaha, Nebraska, after the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron on August 14, 1938. As America marks its 250th anniversary, the Akron Beacon Journal and the Akron History Center are partnering to explore the city’s enduring influence on the nation’s story, with the Derby serving as a shining example of Akron’s contribution. Local historian and Akron History Center president David Lieberth notes that the Soap Box Derby and the city’s renowned Derby Hill have drawn tens of thousands of visitors and garnered national attention for nearly a century, underscoring Akron’s place in what he calls “quirky” history.
The national—now international—race began in 1934 in Dayton, drawing about 362 racers from 34 cities. The following year, it moved to Akron, and in 1936 a permanent track was constructed. Lieberth explains that the Derby has continually evolved since its inception. The image of racers zooming downhill toward the finish line captures a pivotal era of the event, with the track at Derby Downs becoming a symbol of speed and spectacle. In its peak years, as many as 40,000 spectators would line the grandstands to watch the cars race to the finish. Those vast crowds left a lasting impression, turning the Derby into a major spectacle that defined Akron in the public imagination.
Visitor interest in the Derby is chronicled at the Akron History Center, and Derby Hill houses records of the race along with a rotating display of historic cars from different eras. The Derby’s cultural prominence was amplified by the Parade of Champions through downtown Akron, a high-profile showcase that showcased the Derby’s broad appeal and enduring partnerships. Over the years, collaborations with tire manufacturers, auto companies, and other corporate backers helped attract big names to the event, including actors such as Jimmy Stewart and Ronald Reagan, singer Pat Boone, and western icon Roy Rogers.
The Derby’s allure extended beyond sports fans. Daredevil Evel Knievel and racing legend Dale Earnhardt were among those who greeted racers at the event, underscoring its status as a premier gathering. “Derby week was a big deal,” Lieberth reflects, highlighting how the Derby became a focal point of local pride and national attention. The cultural footprint of the Derby also crossed into cinema and entertainment. The 2011 film “25 Hill,” written and directed by actor Corbin Bernsen, was set and shot in Akron, and the narrative wove in elements of the Derby’s legacy. The 1964 Oil Can Race at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron featured the camaraderie and playful competition among classic TV figures, including a moment where “Bonanza” stars Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon joked around with the trophy after Blocker’s victory.
Over the decades, track lengths and speed records have shifted as the Derby has evolved, yet the fundamental spirit remains: a celebration of youth, innovation, and community determination. As Akron prepares to host hundreds of hopeful racers and their families for another summer of competition, the All-American Soap Box Derby stands as a testament to the city’s enduring ability to blend historical charm with contemporary enthusiasm.