The 16th annual Stanwood Camano Soap Box Derby — touted by organizers as the second largest soap box derby in the world — took place Saturday at Arrowhead Ranch on Camano Island with heaps of fans, food, and races.

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The opening ceremony kicked off with a color guard and featured Seattle-based singer April Zhong, 11, performing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

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“It was very exciting and fun,” April said.

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Throughout the past 10 months, April was invited to participate in three opera shows at the Seattle Opera and Tacoma Opera.

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April has also performed in more than 20 live performances in recent years, each with an audience of more than 1,000 people.

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The Soap Box Derby was new turf for April. She said she has never been to a car race, so she was excited to be a part of this year’s festivities.

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“It is really cool,” she said, jumping up and down after her performance. “I’m just so excited.”

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April’s performance wasn’t the only thing met with applause and cheers at the derby — each race was accompanied by a loud crowd watching as racers cruised to the finish line.

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This year’s winners will be flown out to Akron, Ohio, through Alaska Airlines sponsorship to compete in the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship.

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The winners going to Akron are:

• Masters: Bella Siddle.

• Stock: Delilah Vanderpool and Teddy McCann.

• Super stock: Kennedy Steen.

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News source: Stanwood Camano News