Build A Soapbox Derby Car

The Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby, now celebrating 28 years, is a parade of non-motorized kinetic sculptures capable of rolling down lower Broadway in the Rondout neighborhood of Kingston, NY. It is an event that brings professional artists, the creatively inclined, families and friends together to show off their wild, wacky, and original soapbox creations.

This year's derby takes place on Sunday, August 18 and the Wooden Boat School will be entering a car built by our students and volunteers. Come join in on the fun in this week-long class leading up to the derby, for as many days as you'd like, whether one or two days, or all five days. You'll be part of the team that will design and build our wooden car from scratch, while learning woodworking and mechanical skills along the way. And one lucky student will get to pilot the car on the day of the derby! No prior experience is required and anyone from age 11 and older can join.

Then, on the morning of derby day, participants park their creations along Broadway making final preparations, while thousands of spectators come to watch each car roll down the hill, one-by-one.

Vendors, food, and live performances add to a day of fun that concludes with a wacky and entertaining awards ceremony in TR Gallo Park, where participants receive prizes and one-of-kind artist designed trophies and spectators have the opportunity to get last looks at their favorite soapbox cars, lined up post-parade on West Strand Street.

Date: Mon.-Fri., Aug. 12-16,
10 AM - 4 PM
Instructor: Wayne Ford
Class size (max.): 6 per day
Skill level: basic
Prerequisites: none

Registration (price is per day)
Household Member & Above: $100*
Individual Member: $105*
General Public: $116
Register By: August 7

*We encourage students to become members (for as little as $30/year) to receive 10-15% off pricing on classes. You must be a current member on the date of registering to receive your discount. Please login to activate your member discount.

Instructor: Wayne Ford is a master woodworker and shipwright with extensive timber framing experience. His decades of boatbuilding experience includes participating in the restoration of the sloop Woody Guthrie and the sloop Clearwater. He teaches a wide range of woodworking classes, YouthBoat boatbuilding, timber framing, and special project classes at the Wooden Boat School.