Two by two, 72 racers age 7 to 19 boarded their soap boxes and flew down the track at Arrowhead Ranch on Camano Island Saturday, June 20, for the 19th annual Stanwood Camano Soap Box Derby.

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Marla and Randy Heagle, owners of Arrowhead Ranch, started the event in 2008 with just 12 racers.

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Today, it has grown into the second-largest soap box event in the country and the largest local race in the world as of 2025.

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Randy Heagle said that the idea came to life when he and his wife were looking for an event that would involve community, families and kids.

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“We wanted to get kids off screens and outside,” he said, adding that they were looking for a sport that was inclusive for any athletic ability.

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During its early years, the race took place on the hill behind the Lincoln Hill Retirement Community in Stanwood.

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In 2016, the Heagles bought Arrowhead Ranch and developed a dedicated spot for their event.

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For the past 10 years, the couple has welcomed a variety of vendors, food trucks, nonprofits and more to provide even more entertainment during the derby.

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On Saturday, sponsor and food booths filled the property as racers and their families milled about between races.

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Eleven-year-old Arthur Derksema was one of this year’s 72 racers. He could be seen standing beside his galaxy-decorated soap box car — with galaxy pants to match — awaiting his turn.

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Derksema, a Stanwood resident, has been participating in the derby for about five years.

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“I like going down the hill and meeting new people that do soap box every year,” he said, adding that he has made lots of friends through the competition.

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Participating in the derby is more than just race day — kids spend months preparing leading up to the big day.

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Depending on age and car type, racers are divided into stock, super stock, and masters divisions.

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Racers build their car alongside other drivers and receive help from the Tech Team at Arrowhead Ranch, according to the organization’s website.

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During build clinics, there are opportunities to practice going down the track in pre-built cars, which helps children get the feel of racing.

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Once the cars are fully built, the Tech team inspects participants’ cars to ensure it is up to safety standards.

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Two days before the race, the driver’s banquet takes place.

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“Driver’s banquet is an opportunity to celebrate all the hard work the drivers and car handlers have done,” Arrowhead Ranch’s website states.

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After the race, Randy Heagle said, winners of different divisions have their cars shipped to Ohio to compete in the All-American Soap Box Derby.

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Raffle tickets were for sale during the event, boasting prizes from various sponsors, with the money going toward travel expenses for this year’s winners.

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