March 31, 2018
Downtown Sand Springs

The annual Sand Springs soapbox derby was launched in 2008 under the leadership of the now defunct Sand Springs Civitan Club and was held downtown on Main Street by the Triangle Park.

In its first year, the event drew 131 entries in what was expected to be a small event. Former Mayor Bob Walker is credited with being the first to suggest a soapbox derby in a Civitan Club meeting. 

In 2011 the event was relocated to Charles Page High School with vendors in the school parking lot and the race track on Adams Road. That year also added a barbecue and grilling competition and drew more than 4,000 spectators and participants. 

Hot-air balloons were added to the festivities in 2012.

In 2013 the Civitan Club asked the City of Sand Springs to take over the event, and in 2014 the City cancelled the Seventh Annual Derby due to low registration. 

In May of 2015 the Sand Springs Rotary Club took over the event and returned it to the downtown location. The tenth-annual event was slated to take place in September of 2017 but was pushed to March 31, 2018 due to low registration and lack of volunteers. In March the event was canceled indefinitely. 

Click here to view the 2016 Photo Gallery.