Valley-Wide says Soap Box Derby will return March 23

For the first time since the fall of 2016, racers will compete in the Menifee Soap Box Derby. File photo

The Menifee Soap Box Derby, a popular family event that was last held in 2016, will return this March, according to an announcement on Monday by Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District.

The event, which was rained out Oct. 13, has been rescheduled for March 23 beginning at 8 a.m. As in the past, racers will compete side by side in home-built cars down the hill on Menifee Road between Craig Avenue and Holland Road. Age categories are 8-12, 13-17 and 18-plus.

A collaboration between Valley-Wide and the City of Menifee, the Soap Box Derby was held annually from 2012-16. It was not held in 2017 -- a time in which the two entities were both petitioning a county agency for control of parks on the east side of town. That issue still has not been resolved, with Valley-Wide retaining control of parks in that area for the time being. However, Valley-Wide and the City had planned to work together on the event in October 2018 until weather become a factor.

In addition to those who were scheduled to compete in the rained-out event, others are invited to build a race car and participate. For information on registration and construction of a race car, call 951-672-6744.

Food and merchandise vendors will be present at the event.

Race coordinator Joe Schnake talks with a racer during a car inspection before the event was rained out in October. Photo courtesy Valley-Wide