PORT JERVIS – Port Jervis’ 25th Soap Box Derby drew crowds, enthusiasm, and more than 80 young racers for the city’s always-popular official derby competition, world competition qualifier, and festivities this past weekend. Winners will be headed to the world championship competition in Akron, Ohio.
Dozens of derby officials, volunteers, and young racers – ranging in age from 7 to 18 – were on hand throughout the weekend for required pre-race activities and for Sunday’s opening ceremony, parade, music, food booths, and official races.
Following practice runs and much preparation, the official races took place throughout June 14, combining the city’s Flag Day and Opening Soap Box Derby Celebration 2026.
Top on the day’s derby agenda – of course – were the races. Side-by-side, race-after-race competitors launched by gravity from the top of Sussex Street hill, downward past spectators and strawbale-lined curbs to the finish line.
As each race concluded, scores were announced from a race grandstand. Winners in all four race categories will advance to Soap Box Derby World Championships next month.
“The community now looks ahead with pride as its champions prepare to carry the Port Jervis tradition to Akron, and to compete on the world championship stage,” Port Jervis Soapbox Derby officials told on Monday. “They will represent Port Jervis against competitors from across the Unites States and around the world.”
This year’s top Port Jervis race results:
Super Stock: Champion Landon Hunt, 2nd Place Adalena Volpe, 3rd Place Dominic Swingle, 4th Place Gabriel Lehn
Super Kids: Champion Hope Linder, 2nd Place Lucy McDermott, 3rd Place Parimala Cosgrove, 4th Place Isabella Silva
Masters: Champion Henry Lehn, 2nd Place Cody Russman, 3rd Place Mason Mastro, 4th Place Kamryn Dain
Stock: Champion Eliza Lehn, 2nd Place Brayden Boraski, 3rd Place Lena Snyder, 4th Place Logan Shauger
In addition, Port Jervis Soap Box Derby scholarships were awarded to Robert Culleny and Ayden Williamson, along with the Hockenberry Scholarship to Lucy McDermott and Boo Bisland Memorial Scholarship to Koen McGIll.
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