On Saturday June 14, 2008, Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation Commission resurrected a Spartanburg tradition: The All American Soap Box Derby. On that day, Cleveland Park welcomed spectators watching youthful racers speed down Asheville Highway in their self-built gravity powered cars.

The All-American Soap Box Derby, "The Greatest Amateur Racing Event in the World," is a youth gravity-racing program for boys and girls ages eight through 17 years old. The goals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since it began in 1934. They are to teach youngsters some of the basic skills of workmanship, the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun. Across the United States and around the world, family time is spent together building Soap Box Derby cars. Lifelong bonds are developed as the "Derby Experience" is shared. The Soap Box Derby is a program that will provide cherished memories that you will enjoy for a lifetime.

Planning is well underway for the 2009 Spartanburg Soap Box Derby, scheduled to take place sometime in early spring 2009. With the help of generous sponsors and tremendous community support and of course those fearless youngsters, Asheville Highway will once again be filled with future racing superstars.

Click Here for Pictures of the 2008 All-American Soap Box Derby